Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The diagram illustrates the method of recycling plastic bottles.

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

Initially, plastic bottles are collected in a separate recycling bin from 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 then passed through a large crusher to crush the plastic into smaller pieces and washed in a container. Furthermore, the small fragments are then mechanically converted to pelletes. These pellets are heated to make raw material. Finally, the big piled up raw plastic material is used to make different products such as new bottles, lunch boxes, pencils, bags and t-shirts. These used products then can be again recycled to start the process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by summarizing the main features of the plastic bottle recycling process. An effective overview is provided, noting that the process is circular with nine steps beginning with collection and ending with product manufacturing. Key stages such as sorting, crushing, washing, pellet production, and raw material creation are accurately reported and sequenced without introducing irrelevant details. The data is properly grounded in the diagram, and the progression of the cycle is clearly articulated.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response exhibits clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information is grouped appropriately into paragraphs: an introduction with an overview, followed by the initial collection and sorting stages, and concluding with the processing and end-use stages. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'After that', 'Subsequently', and 'Finally' are used effectively to guide the reader through the linear steps of the cycle. Referencing is generally clear, though paragraphing could be slightly more evenly distributed to separate the intermediate and final steps.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate to good range of vocabulary suited to a process diagram, using terms such as 'commencing', 'culminating', 'compressed together', and 'mechanically converted'. There is an attempt to use less common items, although there is a spelling error ('pelletes' instead of 'pellets') and some slight repetition of simple verbs like 'make'. However, the lexical resource is sufficient to convey the precise steps of the recycling loop with reasonable precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is utilized effectively, including passive voice constructions like 'plastic bottles are carried' and 'are compressed together', which are appropriate for process descriptions. There are a few minor errors, such as the awkward phrasing 'according to being fit' and an unnecessary double negative/preposition slip in 'then can be again recycled', but these do not impede communication. The majority of sentences are grammatically sound.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.