Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-29

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 6.5)

The diagram illustrates how plastic bottles are recycled. Overall, it is a continuous process with nine steps. The main stages are collecting bottles, sorting, crushing, heating, and manufacturing final products. People throw away bottles they no longer need into bins. Garbage collecting vans then take them to a recycling centre where they are manually sorted out. The bottles which are unsuitable for recycling are removed. The suitable ones, on the other hand, are compressed into big blocks. A machine then crushes these large blocks into tiny pieces which are subsequently washed in a big container. Another machine joins in the process and produces plastic pellets which are even smaller. After that, heat is applied to these pellets in order to form identical-shaped raw material. Finally, these materials are used in different factories for producing end products : bottles, boxes, bags, pencils, and shirts. People throw again away these newly produced bottles when they become unnecessary and the cycle starts anew.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The candidate provides a clear overview of the process and covers all the main stages shown in the diagram, from the initial collection of bottles through sorting, crushing, washing, pelletising, and finally manufacturing end products. The description follows the logical sequence of the flowchart accurately and notes key details, such as the removal of unsuitable bottles at the recycling centre and the ultimate creation of various consumer goods. The response successfully meets all requirements of Task 1 by summarising the main features and reporting the cyclic nature of the process without significant omissions or irrelevancies. Therefore, a solid band score is warranted for this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout, effectively guiding the reader through the nine-stage diagram in a clockwise fashion. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as transitions like 'subsequently', 'After that', and 'Finally', which help connect the different steps of the process. Paragraphing could be slightly improved, as the entire body of the text is presented as a single large block rather than being divided into an introduction, overview, and separate body paragraphs. However, the internal cohesion and referencing remain clear and easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate and precise enough to describe a technical process. The candidate successfully employs appropriate topic-specific vocabulary such as 'recycling centre', 'sorted out', 'compressed', 'crushed', 'plastic pellets', and 'raw material'. There are some successful attempts at less common phrasing, although a few expressions are slightly unnatural, such as 'throw again away'. Spelling and word choice are generally accurate and do not impede communication, allowing the reader to follow the mechanical steps without difficulty.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

The response features a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and subordinate clauses (e.g., 'The bottles which are unsuitable for recycling are removed' and 'heat is applied to these pellets in order to form identical-shaped raw material'). Grammatical accuracy is reasonably high, with frequent error-free sentences. Minor slips occur, such as the awkward placement of the adverb in 'throw again away these newly produced bottles', but these errors do not impede communication or strain the reader. Overall control of grammar and punctuation is sound.

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