Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-11
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The diagram below shows the process for recycling plastic bottles.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
How plastic bottles are recycled
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The diagram illustrates the phenomenon of recycling plastic bottles.
Overall, the diagram represents the recycling process which consists of total 9 steps. It's starts from throwing waste bottles into dustbin and then the final stage is producing new products after this the whole process repeated for recycling.
Let's commence with the first step of throwing waste plastic materials such as shopping bags, bottles and the other things like this. Then these are after collecting from dustbin take to the recycling center for storing them. Before crushing this garbage it is converted into compressing blocks, so that the garbage can easily be crushed in the center. The following stage is that it is washed in water chamber. After this plastic plates are produced. Then for producing raw material it is heated at high temperature so that after melting we can convert it into desired product products. producing desired products is the final stage. Then customers buy these products and after using them they again throw them into dustbin. So this process repeated again and again.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, but the description is somewhat superficial. While you identified the nine steps, the explanation of the process lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the transformation of the materials. For instance, the transition from 'plastic plates' to 'raw material' is mentioned, but the technical aspects of the process are not clearly articulated. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive overview of the specific actions taken at each stage, such as the sorting or the specific heating process, rather than just listing the steps. The overview is present but could be more analytical regarding the cyclical nature of the process.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'After this' and 'Then' are used frequently to link sentences, which makes the flow feel a bit simplistic. To reach a higher band, try to vary your linking words and use more sophisticated transition markers (e.g., 'subsequently', 'following this', 'once the material has been processed'). Additionally, the paragraphing is a bit unbalanced, with a very short introduction and a long, dense body paragraph. Better paragraph structure would improve the overall logical flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. You rely on basic terms like 'things', 'garbage', and 'products'. There is an attempt to use some process-related vocabulary such as 'recycling center', 'crushing', and 'melting', but these are not used with enough flexibility. To improve, incorporate more specific terminology related to industrial processes, such as 'shredded', 'granulated', 'polymer', or 'reprocessed'. Avoid informal phrasing like 'things like this' and 'dustbin', as these are not appropriate for an academic report.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. Examples include 'It's starts from throwing' (incorrect verb form), 'these are after collecting from dustbin take to' (awkward syntax), and 'this process repeated' (missing auxiliary verb). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with comma usage. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice, which is essential for describing processes. Ensure that your complex sentences are constructed accurately to avoid these recurring errors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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