Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the multi-step process for recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, it is a man-made cycle with nine distinct steps, commencing from discarding used bottles and ending at manufacturing variety of new products.

At the initial stage of the process, plastic bottles are discarded in the specialized bin which are collected and transported by bin lorries. These are then sorted by hands. When they have been correctly sorted, they can be compressed into large blocks of plastic bottles.

In the subsequent stage, these blocks are crushed mechanically and the resulting small fragments drop into a container containing liquid where they can be washed. It is then passed through a machine to produce plastic pellets. These pellets are then heated to form raw material which is then is packed and organized. this raw material is then utilized to form variety of products like pencils, plastic bottles , containers shirts and bags. The loop is then restarted when these plastic materials are thrown in the bins.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all stages of the recycling process, from the initial collection to the final manufacturing of new products. You have provided a clear overview in the introduction and followed the sequence logically. To reach a higher band, ensure you explicitly highlight the most significant features or comparisons, such as the transition from manual sorting to mechanical crushing. While the process is described accurately, the summary could be improved by grouping the stages more effectively to show the 'main features' rather than just listing every step sequentially. Overall, the task is well-addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized, with a clear progression from the start of the cycle to the end. You use some cohesive devices such as 'At the initial stage', 'In the subsequent stage', and 'These pellets'. However, the paragraphing is limited; the entire body of the process is contained in two paragraphs, which could be better structured to separate the collection/sorting phase from the processing/manufacturing phase. Additionally, some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring consistent paragraph structure would enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'specialized bin', 'mechanically', and 'raw material'. However, there are some minor inaccuracies and awkward phrasing, such as 'manufacturing variety of new products' (missing an article) and 'sorted by hands' (should be 'by hand'). To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise collocations and avoid repetitive structures. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, but lacks the sophistication and flexibility required for the higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'discarded in the specialized bin which are collected' (subject-verb agreement error) and 'form variety of products' (missing article). Additionally, there is a punctuation error at the end ('this raw material...'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on article usage (a/the) and ensuring subject-verb agreement in complex sentences.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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