Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-28

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 given diagram illustrates the process for recycling plastic bottles. There are a total of nine steps beginning with throwing plastics in garbage boxes and ending with manufacturing products like shirts, bags, and pencils. In the following paragraphs, each step will be discussed in detail.

The first step, in the process of recycling plastic bottles, is throwing plastic bottles in dustbins placed at various public spaces. The garbage is then collected by big containers, which take the garbage to the recycling centres. There, recyclable material would be separated from non-recyclable material.

The next step is compressing recyclable material into blocks. Then starts the crushing stage: where blocks would pass through pedals used to crush the blocks. The material, plastic pellets, would be obtained after crushing. In the next step, washed plastic pellets will be heated to form raw material. Then, this raw material is used to manufacture bottles, lunch boxes, clothes, and pencils for usage. After using them, the whole process starts again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by outlining the main stages of the plastic bottle recycling process, from discarding the bottles to manufacturing end products. The response provides an overview in the introduction and follows a logical sequence through the nine steps. However, there is some minor mechanical listing rather than fully synthesising the data, and certain descriptions (such as referring to rotating gears as 'pedals') show slight inaccuracies in interpreting the diagram. Nevertheless, the core information is reported accurately, earning a solid Band 6.5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text is generally coherent and exhibits a clear overall arrangement with a distinct introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'The first step', 'Then', and 'In the next step' are used to guide the reader through the stages of the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different phases of the cycle. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive ('In the next step', 'Then starts'), which keeps the score at a Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'recyclable material', 'compressing', 'crushing stage', and 'raw material'. There are some awkward word choices and minor inaccuracies, such as 'garbage boxes' instead of bins and referring to rotating gears as 'pedals', but these do not impede communication. Less common lexical items are attempted with reasonable success. Overall, the vocabulary satisfies the requirements for Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response employs a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses ('dustbins placed at various public spaces') and passive constructions ('recyclable material would be separated'). While there are frequent error-free sentences, some awkward modal and tense choices appear, such as 'recyclable material would be separated' and 'blocks would pass'. Punctuation and sentence boundaries are generally controlled well, supporting clear communication. This performance aligns comfortably with Band 6.0.

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

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