Band 8.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 8.0 · 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 8.0)

The diagram illustrates the nine-stage closed-loop process involved in recycling plastic bottles into new consumer products.

Overall, the operation is a continuous cycle divided into two primary phases: waste collection, sorting, and mechanical shredding, followed by thermal processing, raw material formation, and final manufacturing.

The process begins when discarded plastic bottles are deposited into recycling bins and subsequently transported by truck to a sorting facility. At the plant, workers separate recyclable plastics from non-recyclable waste. The selected bottles are then compressed into dense blocks before being crushed between rotating gears into small fragments and washed to remove impurities.

In the reprocessing phase, the cleaned plastic fragments are fed into an extrusion apparatus to produce small pellets. These pellets are then heated and melted to form standardized raw material, which is packaged onto pallets. Finally, this raw material is converted into diverse commercial items—such as new bottles, containers, garments, stationary, and bags—which can ultimately be re-disposed of to restart the cycle.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The student covers all parts of the task exceptionally well, accurately reporting the nine-stage closed-loop process of recycling plastic bottles. The introduction clearly paraphrases the prompt, and the overview highlights the main stages effectively, dividing the process into logical mechanical and thermal phases. Every major step in the diagram—from collection and sorting to compressing, crushing, washing, pelletising, melting, and manufacturing new end products—is accurately captured and sequenced without any omissions or invented data. The information is well-selected, objective, and directly addresses the requirements of Academic Task 1.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 8.0

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Ideas are sequenced chronologically in accordance with the diagram, moving smoothly from the collection phase through to reprocessing and final manufacturing. Paragraphing is used appropriately and effectively, separating the introduction, overview, initial mechanical phase, and final thermal/manufacturing phase. Cohesive devices such as 'subsequently', 'At the plant', 'before being', and 'Finally' are used flexibly and naturally without being intrusive or mechanical, ensuring seamless transitions between sentences and paragraphs.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.5

The student exhibits a wide and flexible lexical range suitable for an academic process description. Less common and precise vocabulary items are used skilfully and appropriately throughout the text, including terms such as 'closed-loop process', 'subsequently transported', 'dense blocks', 'impurities', 'extrusion apparatus', and 'standardized raw material'. Word choice and collocations are accurate, and spelling is flawless. The vocabulary enables precise description of the technical steps involved in plastic recycling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 8.0

The response displays a wide range of complex sentence structures used with a high degree of accuracy. The majority of sentences are completely error-free, featuring sophisticated syntactic constructions such as participial phrases ('compressed into dense blocks before being crushed') and relative clauses. Punctuation is handled correctly throughout, and grammatical control is robust. There are no noticeable grammatical errors or awkward phrasings that impede communication or detract from the professional academic tone.

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