Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)
The diagram below illustrate the recycling process of plastic bottles.
Overall, recycling process of plastic bottles consisted nine steps. Starting from a man through the useless bottles into dustbine to manufacturing of different plastic products.
To begin with useless bottles through by a man into dustbine. Government vehicles came their and these useless bottles deported to recyclin centre. At this stage bottles are sorted in to different boxes. After this process these all bottles compressed into blocks. Next, these blocks crushed by a machine. At this point, crushed materials washed by water.
After that, washed materials send into a machine and then produced plastic pettels. Moreover, these pellets heated in the form of raw materials. Furthermore, these raw materials stored in the form of large lots. Finally, these raw materials used for making differne
products. These raw materials used to made again bottles and boxes. Also these materials used for making different dress shirts. Additionally, these plastic raw materials used for the manufacturing of pencils.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to describe the main stages of the plastic bottle recycling process, starting from disposal by a consumer through to the manufacture of end products. However, there are significant omissions and inaccuracies in following the sequential flow of the diagram. For instance, the transition from washing to producing plastic pellets and heating them is somewhat garbled ('washed materials send into a machine and then produced plastic pettels'). Furthermore, while an overview is attempted ('consisted nine steps'), the description lacks adequate detail and accurate summarisation of key mechanical steps shown in the visual data. The response meets the minimum word count of 150 words, but the limitations in covering all parts of the diagram thoroughly place it at Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is organised into multiple paragraphs, attempting an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing the steps. However, the logical progression is frequently disrupted by awkward transitions, referencing errors, and repetitive sentence structures (e.g., beginning multiple sentences with 'To begin with', 'After this', 'Next', 'At this point', 'After that', 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', 'Finally'). Cohesive devices are used mechanically and often inaccurately, such as 'To begin with useless bottles through by a man into dustbine', which lacks a main verb and proper clause structure. Paragraphing is present, but overall cohesion is faulty. These features align with the Band 5 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 4.0
The lexical range is extremely limited and heavily reliant on basic vocabulary and direct repetition of words from the prompt ('bottles', 'raw materials', 'plastic'). There are numerous severe spelling, word choice, and word formation errors throughout the text, such as 'dustbine' instead of dustbin / recycling bin, 'deported' instead of transported, 'recyclin' instead of recycling, 'pettels' instead of pellets, and 'differne' instead of different. These errors cause noticeable strain for the reader and reflect a vocabulary range inadequate for higher bands, corresponding to Band 4.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0
The text contains a very limited range of grammatical structures, consisting mostly of simple sentences or severely flawed attempts at complex ones. There is a pervasive absence of main verbs in key clauses, leading to sentence fragments (e.g., 'To begin with useless bottles through by a man into dustbine' and 'Government vehicles came their and these useless bottles deported to recyclin centre'). Frequency of errors in basic grammar, tense usage, prepositions, and active/passive voice is very high, frequently distorting meaning and impeding clear communication. This performance matches the Band 4.0 criteria.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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