Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
The given process diagram depicts that how plastic bottles are recycled.
Overall, it is clear that it is a cylcling process with a multitude of steps. It starts with throwing and collecting bottles and then moves through a series of several mechanical and chemical processes before ending with finished bottle product.
It begins when bottles are thrown into recyling dustbin and then transported to the recyling centre by recycling truck. After that, bottles are sorted, moreover they are compressed to form blocks. In this step, blocks are crushed through machine and washed by water.
After washing, they are inserted into machine to produce plastic pallets. Now, pallets are heated to form raw material. In the final stage, raw material is used to make various things such as bottles, plastic pots shirts, pencils and shopping bags.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the recycling process from initial collection to final end products, noting the cyclical nature of the diagram. However, the word count is 135 words, which falls short of the mandatory 150-word minimum requirement. This negative constraint violation directly impacts the task achievement score. Furthermore, some minor details from the diagram are slightly generalised or condensed, though the overall progression is accurately reported.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5
The text presents a clear logical progression following the steps of the process sequentially. The writer uses basic cohesive devices appropriately to connect stages, such as 'Overall', 'It begins when', 'After that', and 'In the final stage'. Paragraphing is used to separate the introduction and overview from the body details, though the body paragraphs could be further divided for optimal structure. Referencing is generally clear, contributing to a coherent overall arrangement.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'process diagram', 'multitude of steps', 'mechanical and chemical processes', and 'plastic pellets'. However, there are some vocabulary and spelling errors, such as 'cylcling' instead of 'cyclic' or 'cyclical', 'recyling' instead of 'recycling', and 'plastic pots shirts' lacking a conjunction or proper grouping. The lexical range is sufficient for communication but shows some noticeable inaccuracies.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The writing includes a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'It begins when bottles are thrown into recyling dustbin and then transported to the recyling centre by recycling truck.' There is a grammatical error in the opening sentence ('depicts that how plastic bottles are recycled' contains redundant wording). Other minor errors, such as missing articles ('into machine', 'by water'), occur throughout the text, but these do not impede communication.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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