Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-19
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 4.0)
The diagram illustrates the recyclic process of plastic bottles. It is a cyclic process contains nine steps. First step of recycling is bottles picked from the trash bins and final products formed which are used by people then garbaged. The process continues.
Firstly, people garbage their used plastic items. This trash picked by trucks who transport all the rubish to the recycling centre. In the recycling centre plastics are sorted manualy, worker separate the plastic and other materials.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 3.0
The response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, coming in at only 78 words. Consequently, the student is unable to adequately cover all parts of the task or report the main features of the recycling process. The description stops prematurely at the third stage (sorting). This severe under-length and incomplete coverage heavily penalises the task achievement score, placing it firmly in the lower bands.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0
The text attempts a chronological organization using sequencing words such as 'First step', 'Firstly', and 'then'. However, due to the very short length of the text and lack of proper paragraphing, the overall progression is extremely limited. Cohesive devices are minimal and mechanical, and the abrupt ending prevents any logical flow across a full response. Referencing is basic, leading to a fragmented and disjointed read.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with several spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'recyclic' instead of 'recycling', 'manualy' instead of 'manually', and 'rubish' instead of 'rubbish'. While the student attempts some topic-related vocabulary like 'trash bins', 'recycling centre', and 'transport', the limited output and frequent errors restrict the lexical range to a basic level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The response contains a very limited range of grammatical structures, consisting mostly of simple sentences plagued by foundational errors. Examples include missing verbs ('It is a cyclic process contains nine steps') and incorrect article usage ('First step of recycling is bottles picked'). Grammatical accuracy is poor throughout the short text, with frequent errors that occasionally strain comprehension.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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