Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The given diagram illustrates the process of plastic bottles.
Overvewing this diagram, the process go through 9 stages. Begin with throwing plastic bottles into the dusbin and end with producing end products. The majority of the work is done by macanical .
To begin with, initial stage plastic bottes are throwing into bin. After that these bottles are collected by a truck and take them at recyling centre. In the next stage, a person is sorting these bottles at recycling centre. Next stage these sorting bottes are conpressing into blocks and crushing and washing them in the 5th stage. Then they put inside a machine, where plastic pellets are produced.
In stage 7, these pellets go through heating process and later form raw materials. Once finishing this, raw material are packed. In the end at the final stage the end products are producing.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to describe the nine-stage process of recycling plastic bottles, identifying the beginning and end points and mentioning key steps like sorting, crushing, washing, and pellet production. However, the response fails to meet the minimum word length requirement of 150 words, containing only 143 words. Furthermore, the overview is extremely brief and informal ('Overvewing this diagram...'), and some details are vague or missing. While the overall progression of the loop is captured, the limited development and failure to reach the required length pull the score down to a 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The text exhibits some basic organisation, utilizing sequential phrases such as 'To begin with', 'After that', 'In the next stage', and 'In the end at the final stage'. However, the progression is somewhat disjointed due to poor paragraphing and repetitive transitional markers. The paragraphs are extremely short and unstructured, with the second paragraph attempting to cover too many steps in a chaotic manner. Cohesive devices are mechanical and occasionally inaccurate, leading to a choppy reading experience. Overall, the structure reflects Band 5 characteristics.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, with frequent spelling errors such as 'dusbin' (dustbin), 'macanical' (mechanical), 'recyling' (recycling), and 'conpressing' (compressing). There is a limited range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic task, relying heavily on words straight from the prompt. While the reader can understand the general meaning, the noticeable spelling and word-choice errors cause some difficulty and prevent the score from reaching a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student displays a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying primarily on simple sentences and passive/active voice attempts that frequently contain errors. Examples of ungrammatical constructions include 'initial stage plastic bottes are throwing into bin' (instead of 'are thrown into a bin') and 'the end products are producing' (instead of 'are produced'). Errors in tense, articles, and prepositions are frequent and can cause difficulty for the reader, aligning closely with the Band 5 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.