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)
the process chart illustrates the several steps involved in recycling the plasticbottles.
overall, the process for recycling plastic involves nine different steps, starts with dumping the waste in dustbins and recycled into final products after several process.
To begin with, Initialy people dump waste plastic bottles into container then all the waste received by garbage truck to transfer in recycling centre. Afterwards, plastic bottles are selected and sorting into two different containers at recycling centre. In forth stage, all sorted bottles are collected and compressed in into blocks. After that compressed blocks goes into two crushers and this stage involves crushing and then washing tinny plastic particles into washing chamber.
In further process, plastic particles send into machine in order to produce plastic pellets.afterwards, plastic pellets are heated and gather seprately just to produce raw material. in eighth step, raw material is finally made and packed appropriately. finally, raw material is used to manufacture final products such as tshirts, pencils and polybags.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student successfully covers all nine stages of the plastic bottle recycling process, providing an appropriate overview that outlines the beginning and end of the loop. Key features such as sorting, crushing, washing, pellet production, and final manufacturing are mentioned in chronological order. However, some descriptions are slightly repetitive or lack fine detail regarding the transformations occurring in the middle stages. While the general sequence is accurate, the response leans towards a straightforward listing of steps rather than fully integrating insightful comparisons or deeper synthesis of the data. Consequently, this performance aligns closely with Band 6.0 descriptors for Task Achievement, as it addresses all parts of the task with relevant ideas, though some parts are somewhat underdeveloped or mechanical in presentation.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is organized into four paragraphs, beginning with an introduction, followed by two body paragraphs detailing the sequential steps, and lacking a distinct conclusion beyond the integrated overview. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Initialy', 'Afterwards', and 'In further process' are used to guide the reader through the linear progression of the diagram. However, referencing is occasionally imprecise, and logical links can feel mechanical. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of stages could be more balanced. Overall, the writing maintains a coherent arrangement, but faulty or repetitive cohesive devices place it securely in Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a process, incorporating terms such as 'recycling centre', 'garbage truck', 'compressed blocks', and 'plastic pellets'. However, there are several noticeable spelling and word-choice errors, including 'Initialy', 'sorting' instead of 'sorted', 'forth' instead of 'fourth', and 'tinny' instead of 'tiny'. Attempts to use less common vocabulary are marred by these inaccuracies and minor slips. While communication is not impeded and the core message remains clear, the presence of these lexical errors restricts the score to Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'overall, the process for recycling plastic involves nine different steps, starts with dumping...' which contains a tense agreement error. Other grammatical issues include missing articles ('transfer in recycling centre'), incorrect prepositions ('send into machine'), and capitalization errors at the beginning of sentences ('afterwards'). Although the writer attempts complex structures, frequent minor errors in grammar, punctuation, and mechanics persist. Nevertheless, the meaning remains comprehensible throughout, which fits the Band 5.5 profile.
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