Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-20
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 process diagram illustrates information about how plastic bottles are recycled.
Overall, the process contains several stages beginning with the process of collecting used bottles from bin and ending with producing different kinds of product. The process contains both physical and mechanical work like collecting the used bottles and crushing them through the machine.
Initially, the process starts with collecting used bottles and placed them in to the container that contains recycled items, then it reach the recycling centre for sorting where employees separate usable products from unusable ones. Then, the bottles are compressed into blocks.
In the next stage, these blocks are passed through a crushing machine that creates small plastic pieces. After that, the pieces are then washed in water. Then, the producing plastic pellets passed through the machine for heating pellets to raw material. At the end, the raw material is used to produced different types of products, such as pencils, bottles and T-shirts.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student successfully covers all the key stages of the recycling process depicted in the diagram, beginning with the collection of used bottles and ending with the production of new end products. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, outlining the cyclical nature and the physical/mechanical work involved. While the information reported is accurate according to the visual data, some descriptions of the stages are slightly repetitive or lack precise detail, such as the transition from pellets to raw material. However, the main features are clearly reported and salient comparisons or steps are identified, fulfilling the requirements for Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response has a coherent overall arrangement and follows a logical chronological sequence corresponding to the stages in the diagram. Paragraphing is used to separate the introduction, overview, and body details, which aids readability. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'In the next stage', 'After that', and 'At the end' are employed to guide the reader through the process, though some transitions feel a bit mechanical or repetitive. Referencing is generally clear, but occasional clunky connectors prevent the text from achieving a higher band score, placing it firmly at Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating process-specific terms such as 'recycling centre', 'sorting', 'compressed into blocks', 'crushing machine', and 'plastic pellets'. There are some awkward word choices and phrasing errors, such as 'placed them in to the container that contains recycled items' and 'the producing plastic pellets passed through the machine for heating pellets to raw material'. Spelling is generally accurate, but limitations in collocation and word formation mean the lexical control is characteristic of a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms. The writer attempts complex structures with relative clauses and participial phrases, such as 'beginning with the process of collecting used bottles from bin and ending with producing different kinds of product'. However, there are noticeable grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, including missing articles ('from bin'), tense inconsistencies ('and placed them'), and awkward passive/active transitions ('the raw material is used to produced'). These errors do not impede communication, but they occur frequently enough to prevent the grammar score from rising above Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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