Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
plastic is very big threat for the earth's environment since it was invented and plastic bottle is more dangerous, but over the years technology become very advance that it invent the machine to recycle the plastic bottles. Now with help of recycling process for plastic bottles it can be reused or it can produce different products. Let's discuss the process of recycling for plastic bottles.
First step of recycling process is that plastic bottles are gathered into the recycle box then it will take to the recycling center where plastic bottles are sorting, after sorting bottles are compressing into blocks then it is crushing and washing into the water then it goes for the producing plastic pellets after producing pellets heating is used to form raw material and from the raw material other products are made like clothes, pencils, bags, etc.
Main features of recycling are it can reuse same bottles multiple time and it can made different products with affordable price.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main stages of the recycling process, but it lacks a clear overview of the process as a whole. The introduction is overly conversational and includes irrelevant personal commentary about plastic being a 'threat to the earth,' which is not required for an Academic Task 1 report. Furthermore, the final paragraph introduces subjective opinions ('affordable price') rather than reporting the data presented in the diagram. To improve, focus on a neutral, objective summary of the key stages and ensure the overview highlights the cyclical nature of the process rather than discussing the environmental impact.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by repetitive sentence structures and a lack of sophisticated cohesive devices. While some linking words like 'First step' and 'after' are used, the transition between stages feels mechanical. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as 'it will take to the recycling center,' where the subject is ambiguous. The use of paragraphing is present, but the final paragraph is disconnected from the main body of the report. Improving the use of referencing and varying the transition words would enhance the overall flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying on basic terms such as 'big,' 'make,' and 'process.' There are several instances of awkward word choice and collocation errors, such as 'technology become very advance' instead of 'advanced' and 'compressing into blocks' instead of 'compressed into bales.' The range of vocabulary is insufficient to demonstrate the flexibility required for higher bands. To improve, you should focus on using more precise technical terminology related to industrial processes and avoid informal, conversational phrasing.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the reader's understanding. There are consistent issues with verb tense and form, such as 'it invent the machine' instead of 'it invented' or 'it has invented,' and 'bottles are sorting' instead of 'are sorted.' Sentence structures are largely simple or contain errors when attempting complex constructions. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several run-on sentences. To reach a higher band, you need to focus on subject-verb agreement, correct passive voice construction, and more accurate use of articles and prepositions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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