Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

The given diagram demonstrates the recycling process of plastic bottles.

Overall, it is a cyclic process. It consist of nine stages, while it starts from collecting bottles from the waste and end at useful products.

Firstly, the bottles are collected from the garbage in the garbage container. The loaded container transport the collected material to the recycling centre. In the recyclic center, the plastic bottles are sorted according to the categories. The

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 3.5

The response is severely under-length, containing only 72 words against the required 150-word minimum. Because of this major omission, the task cannot be fully addressed. The writer does manage to provide a brief overview stating that it is a cyclic process consisting of nine stages, and begins to describe the initial steps such as collecting bottles from garbage containers and transporting them to the recycling centre. However, the text cuts off mid-sentence ('The...') and fails to report the main features or make comparisons across the remainder of the process. In accordance with the assessment criteria for under-length scripts, Task Achievement is penalised significantly for the incomplete coverage and failure to meet the word count requirement, falling into the lower bands.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.5

Despite the extreme brevity of the response, the writer attempts an introductory statement and begins a sequential account of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Firstly', and 'while' are used to structure the text logically at the beginning. However, because the text stops abruptly after just a few sentences, it is impossible to evaluate paragraphing or full progression across the entire process. The relationship between sentences is clear in the opening part, but the lack of completion prevents a higher score. Coherence and cohesion are judged purely on the language produced, reflecting basic organizational attempts.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used in the student's response is adequate for a basic description, featuring relevant terms such as 'recycling process', 'plastic bottles', 'garbage container', 'material', and 'recycling centre'. There are minor word-form issues, such as 'recyclic center' instead of 'recycling centre', but these do not prevent understanding. The range is limited due to the short length of the text, preventing the writer from demonstrating a wide or flexible vocabulary. Nonetheless, the words used are mostly appropriate for the context of the diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response includes a mix of simple and emerging complex structures, such as 'It consist of nine stages, while it starts from collecting bottles from the waste and end at useful products.' There are noticeable grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('It consist' instead of 'It consists', 'end' instead of 'ends') and a slight prepositional awkwardness ('starts from collecting'). Furthermore, the text cuts off incomplete. However, the sentences that are completed demonstrate an understandable attempt at basic sentence forms, allowing the reader to follow the initial thoughts without major confusion.

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

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