Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-23

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 diagram displays the different stages of recyling plasticf products.

In a cursory glance the pictogram illustrates the entire method of recycling plastic amenities, initially beginning with the disposing of the items to eventually plastic being transformed into finished goods such as bottles, clothing articles, pencils and recyled bags.

The first step is the appropriate disposal of the plastic waste in the recycle bins. Afterwards the same bins are emptied into the waste carrying vehicles which transport the commodities to the specially designated recycling centre for the primary purpose of meticulous assortment. The next step comprises of pressurizing the accumulated stock into blocks which are then broken into smaller fragments and bathed in the forthcoming steps.

Further more, these pieces are then made to pass through the special machine equipment to form plastic pellets, which are then ultimately heated to develop raw materials for the polished by products for instance, fabric items, plastic boxes and bottles, along with some stationary and recycled handbags.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully identifies and describes all the main stages of the plastic bottle recycling process, covering the nine key steps from initial disposal to the creation of end products and the return loop. The overview provided in the second sentence captures the essence of the process well. The information is accurately reported, with clear references to sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pelletising, heating, and manufacturing. The response is well-grounded in the visual data, with no significant omissions or invented facts, meeting all the requirements of Task 1 effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response maintains a clear logical sequence following the clockwise flow of the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'initially', 'Afterwards', 'The next step', and 'Further more' are used to guide the reader through the various stages of the process. However, the paragraphing is underdeveloped; the text is condensed into too few paragraphs, with the introduction and body tightly packed together. Improving paragraph division by separating the initial collection phase from the mechanical and chemical processing stages would enhance the overall structural clarity.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for a process diagram, incorporating less common terms like 'meticulous assortment', 'pressurizing', and 'plastic pellets'. However, there are notable spelling and word-choice errors, such as 'recyling' instead of 'recycling', 'plasticf' instead of 'plastic', and the overly informal or imprecise phrase 'plastic amenities'. Additionally, 'Further more' should be written as a single word ('Furthermore'). These lexical inaccuracies indicate a Band 6 level.

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 (e.g., 'which are then broken into smaller fragments and bathed'). Control of grammar is generally fair, though some minor mechanical issues and awkward phrasing exist, such as the punctuation error in 'Further more' and slightly cluttered noun phrases ('the polished by products for instance, fabric items...'). The majority of sentences are clear and communicate the intended meaning without severe impediment, supporting a solid Band 6.5 performance.

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

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