Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-18
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 diagram illustartes the process of plastic bottles are recycling by step-by-step.
Overall, the recycling demonstrates a linear process, inititating from collection of plastic garbage into bins and conclude with production of new products.
The first step is people throw plastics into the bins, after fulfil of plastic bins a bins collector truck collect all the garbge to recycling centre. In recycling centre employees sorted the better bottles in different place to comparessed all the bottle into blocks. Next, the compressed square shaped blocks undergo to crushing step, a crusher machine crushed the blocks into tiny form, which is later washed into a chemical to clean the remained waste and bacteria.
In the next stage, the cleaned plastic are collected and started to production of plastic pellets, a machinize mixture helps to form a pellets. Afterwards, the produced pellets are heated and dried to form raw material. Consequently, the heated pellets transformed into a pure raw material. Finally, the end products are different clothes, bags, pens and bottles.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student attempts to describe the entire nine-stage process of recycling plastic bottles shown in the diagram. However, there are notable flaws in reading the visual data. For instance, the writer states that the recycling demonstrates a 'linear process,' whereas the diagram clearly depicts a continuous, closed loop (returning from end products back to collection). Additionally, some stages are described inaccurately, such as 'washed into a chemical to clean the remained waste,' which misinterprets the washing stage. While the main steps from collection to end products are generally identified, the misunderstanding of the overall cyclical nature of the diagram and minor inaccuracies in detailing individual steps limit the score to Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs, representing a logical attempt to structure a process description. However, cohesion is frequently faulty and mechanical. The writer relies heavily on basic transitional words like 'Next,' 'Afterwards,' and 'Finally,' and there are awkward linking phrases such as 'after fulfil of plastic bins a bins collector truck collect all the garbge to recycling centre.' Furthermore, referencing is sometimes unclear, and the lack of sophisticated cohesive devices prevents the text from flowing smoothly. Paragraphing is present, but overall progression is hindered by awkward transitions. This corresponds to a Band 5.0 for Coherence and Cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with noticeable errors in word choice and morphology that occasionally impede communication. Examples include 'illustartes' (spelling), 'inititating,' 'fulfil,' 'garbge,' 'machinize,' and 'comparessed.' The student attempts some less common vocabulary items related to the topic, such as 'recycling centre,' 'compressed,' and 'raw material,' but their control is weak. Word formation errors are frequent, for example, using 'production of plastic pellets' instead of 'producing plastic pellets,' and 'machinize mixture.' The range of vocabulary is limited and minimally adequate for the task, placing it firmly at Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The student uses a very limited range of sentence structures, relying mostly on simple sentences and faulty attempts at complex ones. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('the recycling demonstrates... and conclude', 'a bins collector truck collect'), tense errors ('people throw plastics... after fulfil... a bins collector truck collect'), and awkward passive/active constructions ('the process of plastic bottles are recycling by step-by-step'). Punctuation is also sparse and sometimes incorrect. These persistent errors frequently cause difficulty for the reader and reflect the descriptors for Band 4.0 in Grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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