Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The given diagram demonstrates the recycling process of plastic bottles.

Overall, it is a cyclic process. It consists of nine stages and starts from collecting bottles from the waste and ends with useful products.

Firstly, the bottles are collected from the garbage by a garbage truck. The loaded truck's container transports the collected material to the recycling center. In the recycling center, the plastic bottles are sorted according to categories. The gathered bottles are compressed and converted into the shape of blocks. The crushing machine is used in the fifth step; the block-shaped plastic is put into the machine, and crushed particles steadily move within the water container placed under the crushing machine.

Meanwhile, the washed plastic particles are converted into pellets by being placed inside the pellet producing machine. In the seventh step, the pellets are heated to form the raw material. The raw material is used to make bottles, transparent food boxes, shopping bags, stationery, and shirts. The process is repeated and passes through all the above stages to produce plastic objects.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers all the main stages of the recycling process, starting from the collection of plastic bottles to the final creation of useful products. The student provides a clear overview in the second sentence, noting that it is a cyclic process consisting of nine stages. Key steps such as collection, sorting, compression, crushing, washing, pellet production, heating, and manufacturing are all mentioned sequentially. While the description is slightly mechanical and follows step-by-step narration without deeper analytical comparison, it successfully satisfies the requirements of Task 1 by reporting the main features accurately. Therefore, it fits comfortably within the Band 6.5 to 7 range.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The report demonstrates a clear logical organization and progression throughout. The response opens with a strong introductory and overview statement, followed by a chronological breakdown of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'In the recycling center', 'Meanwhile', and 'In the seventh step' are used to guide the reader through the stages effectively, although some transitions feel a bit formulaic. Paragraphing is used to group the introduction/overview and the body of the process together, though a new paragraph could have been introduced around the midway point to enhance visual structure. Referencing is generally clear.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a linear or cyclic diagram, including terms like 'cyclic process', 'compressed', 'crushing machine', 'particles', 'pellets', and 'raw material'. There are successful attempts at less common vocabulary such as 'transported' and 'transparent food boxes'. Some word choices, however, are slightly repetitive or literal, such as 'pellet producing machine' instead of more concise alternatives. Spelling and word formation are generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication, supporting a solid Band 6.5 performance.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The text displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing passive structures appropriately for a process description, such as 'the bottles are collected' and 'the pellets are heated'. Grammatical control is fairly good, with accurate use of articles and prepositions in most instances (e.g., 'converted into the shape of blocks'). There are some minor awkward phrasings like 'by being placed inside', but the majority of sentences are grammatically sound and communication is never impeded. Punctuation is also handled well throughout the response, earning a secure Band 6.5.

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