Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The illustration depicts how plastic bottles are recycled.

The 9-step cycle begins with people putting plastic bottles into bins and ends with the production of new products. This is achieved by turning plastic bottles back into raw materials that can be turned into a range of plastic commercial goods.

The process starts with the placement of plastic containers into specialized bins, which are then collected by bin lorries. They are then transported to a processing plant to be sorted by hand. When they have been correctly sorted, they can be compressed into blocks of plastic bottles.

At step 5, the bottles are crushed, and the resulting fragments drop into a liquid so that they can be washed. The substance is then placed into a machine producing plastic pellets that can then be heated to produce the raw material. This can then be manufactured into various goods that contain plastic and the process commences again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.5

The candidate successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing a clear overview and summarizing the main stages of the plastic bottle recycling process. The response accurately covers the sequence of events, starting from the initial disposal of bottles by individuals in bins, through sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pellet production, and finally raw material creation and remanufacturing into end products. The overview effectively captures both the beginning and the end of the 9-step cycle. The information is fully supported by the visual data without significant omissions or inaccuracies, demonstrating a strong understanding of the diagram's content and flow.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.5

The response is logically organized with a clear progression from the introduction to the final step of the cycle. Cohesive devices such as 'The process starts with', 'At step 5', and 'The substance is then placed' are used effectively to guide the reader through the stages. Paragraphing is handled appropriately, with an introductory statement followed by body paragraphs detailing the steps sequentially. Referencing is generally clear, maintaining a smooth and natural flow throughout the text without noticeable awkwardness in organization or cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student uses a sufficient and appropriate range of vocabulary relevant to describing a continuous manufacturing and recycling process, such as 'specialized bins', 'bin lorries', 'processing plant', and 'plastic pellets'. There are attempts to incorporate less common lexical items with a reasonable degree of precision. Word choices and collocations are natural for the most part, though some phrases like 'placement of plastic containers' could be slightly more varied. Spelling and word formation are accurate, and communication is clear and unobstructed.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including passive voice constructions like 'are then collected' and 'can be compressed', which are well-suited for process descriptions. The majority of sentences are error-free, and grammatical control is consistently maintained. Punctuation is accurate, and subordinate clauses are integrated smoothly. While the range of complex grammar is somewhat standard for this task type, accuracy is high and sentences flow naturally without causing any difficulty for the reader.

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

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