Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-26
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 given process chart displays the cycle to reproduce the plastic bottles.
Overall, This process consists 9 steps to recycle the bottle. first step begin with throwing the used bottles into recycling bin. After going throgh all process we get the recycled bottle in totaly different shape or product.
Firstly, Plastic bottles are collected in a dustbin which is specially made for recyling process. After the collection, bins were being taken to recycling centre.once the plastic bottles reached the centre, The process of sorting the bottles begin. Then after, selected plasic bottles were compressed into a block and crushed through the crushing machine and the crush were being collected into a tank full of water to wash the rest.
Moreover, The cleaned crust were then taken to a electric machine which converts the crust into plastic pellets. in addition to that, The raw materials were being formed by giving the heat to the plastic pallets. finally, raw material were produced. As a result, t-shirts,pens,baskets and many more things were manufactured. after all this processes the cycle of plasic bottles were being recycled continues.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student successfully identifies the main purpose of the diagram, which is the closed-loop process of recycling plastic bottles. The response covers all the key stages in a general sequence, moving from collection and sorting through crushing, washing, pelletising, and finally to the production of new end products. However, the details are sometimes a bit vague, and certain stages are grouped together loosely, such as in the phrase 'After going throgh all process we get the recycled bottle in totaly different shape or product.' Nevertheless, the overall requirements of summarizing the process and outlining its main features are met, leading to a Band 6.0 performance under Task Achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The text is structured into four paragraphs, providing a logical framework with an introduction, overview, and sequential body paragraphs using transition markers such as 'Firstly', 'Moreover', and 'finally'. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical and awkward, as seen with phrases like 'Then after' and 'After all this processes the cycle of plasic bottles were being recycled continues.' Paragraphing is attempted, but sentence-to-sentence connections occasionally lack smoothness. Referencing is basic, and punctuation issues sometimes disrupt the flow, which aligns well with the descriptors for Band 6.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing process-related terms such as 'recycling bin', 'sorting', 'compressed', 'crushing machine', and 'plastic pellets'. However, there are numerous spelling and word-form errors throughout the text, including 'throgh', 'totaly', 'recyling', 'plasic', 'crust' (used instead of crushed material), and 'pallets' (confused with pellets). While these vocabulary limitations and slips do not completely impede communication, they restrict the lexical score to a solid Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'Plastic bottles are collected in a dustbin which is specially made for recyling process.' However, grammatical accuracy is weak, particularly with passive voice constructions and tense consistency (e.g., 'bins were being taken', 'The raw materials were being formed', and 'the cycle... were being recycled continues'). Errors in subject-verb agreement and article usage are frequent (e.g., 'The process of sorting the bottles begin'). These persistent errors occasionally cause difficulty for the reader, placing the grammar at a Band 5.0 level.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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