Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-13
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)
The given process chart depicts the various stages that how plastic bottles are recycled.
Turning to the details, in the first step bottles are discarded at the bin that later on it is collected by a truck. Thereafter, bottles are reach at a recycling centre where sorting process is performed. Following by that all bottles are compressing into blocks.
Shifting towards other information, before the washing of bottles, crushing method is performed. After that, pallets are produced by plastic and those heating pallets are form into raw material. Lastly, from that raw material clothes and plastic products are products are ready for sale into market.
Overall, recycling of plastic bottles are initiate with collection, whereas it ends with producing different type of products. Each and every step is essential for the complete process.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to summarise the main stages of the plastic bottle recycling process, covering the sequence from discarding bottles to producing final marketable goods. However, the task achievement is negatively impacted in two key ways. First, the response is under-length, containing only 133 words against the required 150-word minimum, which restricts the depth of coverage. Second, some details are slightly inaccurate or vague, such as claiming that 'pallets are produced by plastic and those heating pallets are form into raw material,' misinterpreting the physical transformation shown in the diagram. Because of the under-length penalty and incomplete development of key comparative features, it falls under Band 5.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text is organized into paragraphs with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, showing some overall structural framework. However, the logical progression is frequently hindered by awkward referencing and mechanical or inappropriate cohesive devices, such as 'Turning to the details,' 'Following by that,' and 'Shifting towards other information.' Additionally, referencing within sentences is faulty, as seen in 'bottles are discarded at the bin that later on it is collected by a truck.' While there is an attempt to sequence the process chronologically, the clumsy transitions and repetitive structural patterns limit the coherence, aligning with Band 5 descriptors.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student uses a limited and occasionally repetitive vocabulary adequate to convey the basic steps of the process, such as 'collected,' 'sorting,' 'washing,' and 'crushing.' However, word choice and collocation errors are frequent and noticeable, including 'bottles are reach at,' 'compressing into blocks' (instead of compressed), and awkward phrasing like 'products are products are ready.' Less common vocabulary is attempted with significant inaccuracy, and word forms are often confused (e.g., noun/verb mix-ups). This performance corresponds closely to Band 5, where lexical limitations and errors cause some difficulty for the reader.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response demonstrates a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple sentences and flawed complex constructions. There are frequent, noticeable grammatical errors throughout the text, such as 'depicts the various stages that how plastic bottles are recycled' (unnecessary relative/interrogative mix), 'bottles are reach at' (incorrect passive voice combined with preposition error), and 'recycling of plastic bottles are initiate' (subject-verb agreement and voice errors). Punctuation and sentence boundaries are generally maintained, but frequent structural errors and awkward phrasing place this writing firmly at Band 5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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