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 figure depicts how recycled platsic bottles are converted to finished consumer products.

Overall, the cycle consists of 9 steps, starting from transporting plastic bottles thrown into the bins to recycling centres. These bottles undergo the process of compression and crushing, producing small beads which are washed. After the production of plastic pelletsf from these beads, they are heated to form raw material which is then used for manufacturing of consumer ready products.

In step 1, individuals throw their plastic waste into the designated bins. This waste is then picked up by bin lorries and transported to recycling facilities where these plastic bottles are sorted depending on whether they can be recycled or not. The plastic bottles which can be recycled are compressed into a large block in the step 4. In step 5, this block is crushed to make small beads of plastic which are then washed in a container filled of liquid.

In the next step, these small beads are processed by a machine to make plastic pellets. A heat source is provided to increase the temperature of these pellets to form raw material in step 8. In the last step, raw material is used to make a number of finished consumer ready products including shirts, pencis, plastic bags and bottles. Which again people throw into the waste and the cycle starts again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by summarising the 9-step process of recycling plastic bottles. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, outlining the main stages from collection to the manufacturing of consumer-ready products. The key features of the diagram are reported accurately, such as the sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pelletising, heating, and final product creation stages. The information is fully grounded in the visual data, and minor steps are appropriately synthesised without significant omissions or inventions. This performance meets the criteria for Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response exhibits a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. The information is logically grouped into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological sequence of the diagram. Cohesive devices are used reasonably well, such as 'Overall', 'In step 1', 'This waste is then', and 'In the next step'. However, paragraphing could be slightly better balanced, and referencing is occasionally repetitive. Nevertheless, the progression from stage to stage is easy to follow, supporting a solid Band 7.0 score.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for a process diagram, including terms such as 'transported', 'designated bins', 'compressed', 'crushed', 'pellets', and 'manufacturing'. There are some spelling slips ('platsic' in the opening sentence, 'plastic pelletsf', 'pencis') and slightly awkward phrasing, such as 'consumer ready products' and 'filled of liquid' instead of 'filled with liquid'. Despite these minor lexical errors, communication is never impeded, and the range is adequate for a Band 6.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses ('bins where these plastic bottles are sorted', 'products including shirts, pencis, plastic bags and bottles. Which again people...'). Control over grammar is generally good, though there are punctuation and fragment issues, such as starting a sentence with a relative pronoun ('Which again people throw into the waste...'). Minor grammatical slips do not impede understanding, allowing the writer to achieve a solid Band 6.5.

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.