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 process diagram illustrate how plastic bottles are reused.

Overall,there are total nine steps in the procesure.It begans with individual put plastic bottles in the garbage and results in the formation of different products.However, sorting out the correct bottle is necessary.

In the 1st stage, people throw plastic cans in the dustbin.Afterward, the garbage collector collect the the plastic waste in the truck.Then, it is sent to the recycling centre where bottles are sorted.After sorring the bottle it is compressed into a block with the help of machines.Consequently, the bottles are crushed through a crusher and material are washed.

In the 6th stage, the crushing material is used to produce plastic pellets.However, pellets are heated by using a heater to form the raw material which is used in the manufacturing of various products then the raw substance is assembled.Now, it is ready for the formation of various useful products.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to summarise the diagram showing the process of recycling plastic bottles, identifying the main stages from disposal to the formation of new products. However, there is a penalty applied because the text falls slightly short of the required 150-word minimum, containing 149 words according to the ground truth length check. Furthermore, while the general sequence is outlined, some parts of the overview lack precise detail, such as the exact nature of the final products or the full mechanical breakdown. Ideas are somewhat limited and repetitive in places, placing this response at Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response exhibits some basic organisation with transitional markers like 'Overall', 'In the 1st stage', and 'Consequently', but the overall progression feels somewhat mechanical and disjointed. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of sentences into blocks is slightly unnatural, with the second paragraph attempting to compress too many diverse steps together. Referencing is occasionally unclear, as seen with 'then, it is sent' where the antecedent is ambiguous. Cohesive devices are somewhat repetitive and basic, aligning this performance with Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is of a limited range, featuring frequent repetition of basic terms like 'plastic', 'bottles', 'products', and 'raw material'. There are also noticeable spelling and word choice errors, such as 'illustrate' instead of 'illustrates', 'procesure', 'begans', 'individual' instead of 'individuals', 'sorring', and 'crushing material' instead of 'crushed material'. These errors cause occasional strain for the reader. While the range is adequate to convey the basic steps of the process, it lacks precision and flexibility, resulting in a Band 5.0 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but many attempts contain noticeable grammatical errors. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('The process diagram illustrate'), incorrect verb tenses ('begans'), and missing plural markers ('individual put plastic bottles'). Punctuation is generally rudimentary with minor comma errors. While simple sentences are often clear, the frequent errors in complex structures and basic grammar rules cause difficulty for the reader, which fits the Band 5.0 descriptor.

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