Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-17

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 5.5)

The given diagram illustrates information about the process which involves the recycling of plastic bottles to produce differet products.

Overall, it can be observed that the process involves 9 differemt steps starting from a disposal of plastic bottles, followed by the collection of waste materials, sorting in recycling center, the compressing into blocks, crushing, the production of plastic pellets, the handling pellets to form raw materials and then producing and products.

To begin with, people dispose waste which includes plastic bottles into waste disposal then collected by garbage truck which then takes the disposals to recycling center where sorting of waste is done.Thereafter, the sorted bottles will be compressed into the blocks which will be crushed.

Additionally the crushed itemms will be washed and then used in the production of plastic pellets where those will be heated to form raw materials. Simillary, the recycled raw materials will be used in producing different items including plastic bottles, clothes, and so on.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully covers all the main stages of the plastic bottle recycling process depicted in the diagram, beginning with disposal and ending with the production of end products. The student provides a clear overview in the second paragraph, outlining the cyclic nature and the nine key steps. However, some minor details are slightly imprecise, such as mentioning the 'handling pellets' instead of heating them. Overall, the content is well-selected and directly addresses the prompt, satisfying the requirements for Task Achievement at a Band 6.5 to 7.0 level.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay demonstrates a clear overall progression, guiding the reader logically through the steps of the diagram from disposal to reprocessing. Paragraphing is used to separate the introduction, overview, and body details. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Thereafter', and 'Additionally' are employed to sequence the stages, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Referencing and paragraph structures are generally clear, though occasional awkward phrasing affects the flow. This fits the criteria for Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a process, including terms like 'disposal', 'recycling centre', 'compressing', 'crushing', and 'plastic pellets'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word choice errors throughout the text, such as 'differet' instead of 'different', 'disposal' used where 'disposal bin' or 'disposal point' might be intended, and 'itemms' with a double 'm'. Despite these inaccuracies, communication is not impeded, placing the lexical range firmly at Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'the process involves 9 differemt steps starting from a disposal of plastic bottles, followed by the collection...'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward prepositions, including 'disposal of plastic bottles to produce differet products', 'sorting in recycling center' (missing article), and 'producing and products' instead of 'end products'. While these errors occur regularly, they do not impede the overall comprehension of the process, which warrants a Band 6.0.

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

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