Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The given diagram depicts the procedure by which plastic bottles are recycled.

Overall, it is evident that the process includes 9 steps starting from throwing plastic waste in recycle bins, further ends with production of fresh products from recycled plastic.

To commence with the process chart, it is clear that firstly the plastic is gathered in recycle bins situated in nearby locations, secondly a garbage truck fills up the waste in its collecting chamber, later in third step sorting is performed by a human employee who distinct the reusable plastic from the one which can not be recycled. Further more, this separated plastic is compressed into tight blocks before proceeding to next step.

Moreover, fine particles are formed by crushing those blocks and later washed out to remove all the impurities example sand, organic waste. however, this washed matter manages to reach in pellet producing machinery that later is heated out to form raw material. Finally, the raw material is distributed among different industries before producing various products.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by reporting the main stages of the plastic bottle recycling process. An overview is provided, noting that the process has 9 steps starting from waste disposal and ending with the production of fresh products. Key stages such as sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pellet production, and raw material formation are accurately described in sequence. The response is factual, draws directly from the visual data, and avoids unnecessary speculation. While some minor details from the diagram are omitted, the overall progression is clearly presented and satisfies the requirements of Task 1 for a Band 6.5 or 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is arranged logically into four paragraphs: an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the sequential steps. Cohesive devices such as 'To commence with', 'furthermore', 'Moreover', and 'Finally' are used to guide the reader through the process, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different sections of the diagram. However, referencing is occasionally imprecise, and the flow could be smoother between sentences. Overall organisation is clear, meeting the descriptors for Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a process, using terms such as 'procedure', 'recycling centre', 'sorting', 'compressed', 'crushing', and 'impurities'. There are some awkward word choices and phrasing, such as 'fills up the waste in its collecting chamber', 'distinct the reusable plastic', and 'heated out'. Word formation errors are also present, such as 'example sand' instead of 'such as sand'. While less common vocabulary is attempted, occasional inaccuracies in collocation and word choice place this firmly at a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses and participial phrases ('starting from throwing plastic waste', 'situated in nearby locations'). However, there are noticeable grammatical errors and punctuation lapses, including comma splices and missing prepositions ('manages to reach in pellet producing machinery'). Sentences like 'further ends with production of fresh products' lack subjects or structural cohesion. Errors occasionally distract the reader but do not impede overall communication, reflecting the Band 6.0 descriptors.

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