Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-22

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 given picture illustrates the process of regenerating plastic bottles.

Overall, the waste bottles are collected from dustbin by using person and carry them for crushing with the help of container or bus, after that it converts into raw material and then produce some product.

First of all, in intial step waste bottle are picked up from the dustbin and then load it into bus or container, after that the recycling process starts for sorting the bottles according to their condition good or bad in 3rd step, in 4th step bottles are compressing into blocks and then it move for the next stage and material put into crushing machine and then washing.

On the other hand, the crushing and washing material put into generating plastic pellets, in the next stage of process heat the pellets fron raw material and all the raw material will be saparated from for next to convert into a bottles, boxs for food and also plastic shopping bags as well. This process gives a clear idea of recycling plastic bottle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the process of recycling plastic bottles shown in the diagram, but it lacks clarity and contains numerous inaccuracies. While it mentions key stages such as collection, sorting, crushing, washing, and producing pellets, the overview is extremely weak and fails to effectively highlight the main features of the closed-loop cycle. Furthermore, the description of the final stages includes confused details, such as raw material being separated to convert into bottles and boxes. Overall, the task is addressed only partially, corresponding to a Band 5 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text is divided into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The writer uses some basic cohesive devices like 'First of all' and 'after that', but these are overused and create a mechanical flow ('after that... after that... and then... and then'). Referencing is frequently unclear, for example, using pronouns like 'it' and 'they' without clear antecedents. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal organization of ideas lacks the clear progression required for higher bands, placing this performance at Band 5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with frequent word-choice errors and imprecise terminology (e.g., calling a collection truck a 'bus or container', 'waste bottle' instead of 'plastic bottles', and 'saparated' for 'separated'). While there is a minimal attempt to use topic-related vocabulary like 'recycling process', 'crushing machine', and 'plastic pellets', the range is limited and noticeable errors in spelling and collocation cause some difficulty for the reader, fitting the Band 5 profile.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The grammatical range is severely limited, relying mostly on repetitive, fault-ridden complex attempts or run-on sentences joined by commas and conjunctions. There are frequent errors in verb forms, subject-verb agreement, and active/passive voice (e.g., 'waste bottles are collected... by using person and carry them', 'bottles are compressing into blocks', 'heat the pellets'). Punctuation is also weak, resulting in sentences that frequently impede clear communication. This demonstrates control characteristic of Band 4.5 to 5.0, comfortably landing at Band 5.

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

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