Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-27

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 illustrates the method of recycline plastic bottles.

Overall, the process is circular with nine steps commencing at collecting waste plastic bottles and culminating at producing products using raw material.

Initially, plastic bottles are collected in a separate recycling bin than general waste bins. After that, these plastic bottles are carried to a recycling centre by a recycling truck. At the centre the used plastic bottles are sorted according to being fit for recycling or not. Some of the bottles that are in good condition are compressed together to make square shaped boxes.

Subsequently, the compressed boxes are than passed through a large crusher to crush the plastic into smaller pieces to wash them in a container. Furthermore, the small fragments are than machanically converted to pellets. These pelletes are heated to make raw materail. Finally, the big pilled up raw plastic material is used to make different products such as, new bottles, lunch boxes, pencils, bags and t-shirts. These used products are again recycled to start the process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully summarises the process of recycling plastic bottles, covering all nine main stages from the initial collection in bins to the final production of end products and the renewal of the cycle. The overview provided in the second paragraph is clear, capturing the circular nature of the diagram. The student accurately reports the sorting phase, the compression, the crushing and washing steps, the creation of pellets, and the final raw material stage. However, minor details could be extended further to achieve a higher band, such as explaining the criteria for sorting (fit for recycling or not). Overall, all parts of the prompt are addressed adequately, fitting the criteria for a Band 6.5 to 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is generally coherent and shows a logical progression from the beginning to the end of the recycling loop. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and body details. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'After that', 'Subsequently', and 'Finally' are employed to guide the reader through the stages of the process. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and referencing can occasionally be improved. For instance, linking sentences with more sophisticated cohesive structures would elevate the flow. Progression throughout the text is clear and easy to follow, making this a solid Band 6.5 performance.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for a process diagram, using terms such as 'recycling centre', 'compressed', 'crusher', and 'pellets'. However, there are several noticeable spelling and word choice errors throughout the text, including 'recycline' instead of 'recycling', 'than' used instead of 'then' multiple times, 'machanically' instead of 'mechanically', 'pelletes' instead of 'pellets', 'materail' instead of 'material', and 'pilled up' instead of 'piled up'. These errors indicate a lack of careful proofreading, though they do not severely impede overall communication, placing the vocabulary use firmly at a Band 6.0 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions ('plastic bottles are collected', 'are compressed together'). There are, however, several grammatical and punctuation errors present. For example, the phrase 'collected in a separate recycling bin than general waste bins' contains incorrect comparative prepositions ('than' instead of 'from'). Additionally, missing commas in introductory phrases (e.g., 'At the centre the used plastic...’) slightly disrupt the flow. While the majority of simple sentences are clear, errors in complex forms and mechanics prevent the score from reaching a higher band. Control is generally consistent with a Band 6.0.

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

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