Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

First a person disposes the plastic bottles in the recycling can after using it, A truck which is used to pick up trash arrives and then picks up the litter , then the bottles are sorted out between the bottles which can be used to recycle and the bottles which are no longer of use,the plastic bottles which are of use are then compressed into giant blocks which makes it easier to crush them the crushed pellets of plastic are then washed to ensure that there is no bacteria or viruses that can spread, after washing, the sanitized plastic pellets are heated strongly,this produces raw materials which are then used for making many things which are usefull like clothes, plastic bags, t shirts and further more plastic containers and water bottles , this recycling process ensures that there is less plastic waste as it is harmfull for people and environment

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main stages of the plastic bottle recycling process, from initial disposal at stage one to the final production of end products at stage nine. The sequence of steps is generally well-reported, capturing sorting, compression, crushing, washing, pelletising, heating, and manufacturing. However, the response lacks a clear overview paragraph summarising the main trends or overall nature of the cyclical process. Some details are slightly imprecise, such as describing crushed pellets being washed when the diagram depicts crushing into a wash bath followed by pellet production. Overall, the content covers the required information adequately to meet the criteria for Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The text is written as a single, continuous run-on sentence joined almost exclusively by commas and basic conjunctions like 'then' and 'after'. There is a complete lack of paragraphing, which significantly impacts the logical structure and visual organisation of the response. While the chronological progression of the steps is maintained, the excessive reliance on comma splices and repetitive transitional markers ('then') creates a mechanical and strained cohesive flow. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and punctuation is largely neglected. This places the response firmly within the Band 5.0 descriptors for Coherence and Cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for describing a sequential process, successfully employing terms such as 'disposes', 'sorted', 'compressed', 'sanitized', and 'raw materials'. However, there is a reliance on basic or repetitive wording ('plastic bottles', 'usefull'), and some slight lexical inaccuracies occur, such as referring to crushed pieces as 'pellets' prematurely before the pelletisation stage. Spelling is generally accurate, though minor errors like 'usefull' and 'harmfull' appear. The range is sufficient to communicate the main points, fitting the Band 6.0 description.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response consists almost entirely of a long string of clauses linked together by commas, resulting in a severe run-on sentence structure without proper full-stop punctuation. While there is an attempt to use subordinate and participial clauses ('which makes it easier', 'to ensure that'), the absence of sentence boundaries means grammatical control is severely compromised. There are frequent punctuation errors and some minor grammatical awkwardness. Because simple and complex forms are awkwardly fused together without appropriate delimitation, the grammatical control corresponds to a Band 5.0.

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