Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-30

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 diagram illustrates all the stages included for the recycling process of plastic bottles.

The overall recyclying process consists of 9 steps in total. In the first stage, the plastic bottles are dumped in garbage bins. From where the garbage truck then collects the garbage in the second stage from bins and transports the collected garbage to recycling center. The third stage includes the sorting of the plastic bottles in recycling center i.e the plastic bottles that could be recycled are separated for further treatment.

After sorting the real process starts in the forth stage where the separated plastic bottles are compressed in blocks. Next stage involves the crushing and washing of the plastic blocks for further process. In the sixth stage, washed and crushed plastic is then converted into pellets and the pellets are heated to form raw material in seventh stage. In the eight step, raw material is formed which would then be used in manufacturing process of various products in final stage.

The products manufactured from plastic are dumped in garbage again after use. From where the whole recycling process repeats.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully identifies all the major stages of the plastic bottle recycling process, covering the 9 steps depicted in the diagram from initial disposal to end products and back into the cycle. The overview is clearly stated at the beginning of the second paragraph, noting the total number of steps. Key features such as sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pelletising, and producing raw materials are all reported logically. The response covers all parts of the prompt well without significant omissions. However, the development could be slightly more precise in describing some of the mechanical steps, such as distinguishing between heating pellets and producing the final raw material. Overall, the task is addressed competently and accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response is arranged with a clear logical progression, following the chronological flow of the cyclical process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the initial stages, the core transformation stages, and the final recycling loop. Cohesive devices such as 'In the first stage', 'From where', 'After sorting', and 'Next stage' help guide the reader through the sequence. However, some referencing is slightly awkward, such as starting sentences with 'From where' (e.g., 'From where the garbage truck then collects...'), which detracts from the flow. Overall, cohesion is generally clear and manageable, fitting the descriptors for Band 6.5 to 7.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for a process diagram, using terms such as 'dumped', 'transported', 'sorting', 'compressed', 'crushing', and 'pellets'. There are some noticeable lexical inaccuracies and repetitive phrasing, such as repeating 'garbage' multiple times ('dumped in garbage bins', 'garbage truck', 'collects the garbage') and misspelling 'recycling' as 'recyclying' in the second paragraph. Less common vocabulary is attempted with mixed success (e.g., 'manufacturing process'). The lexical range is sufficient to communicate the main features of the task, though word choice lacks precision in places, landing comfortably at Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses ('the plastic bottles that could be recycled are separated') and time clauses ('After sorting the real process starts...'). There are several grammatical and punctuation errors, including missing articles ('in recycling center'), spelling/word form errors ('forth stage' instead of 'fourth stage', 'eight step' instead of 'eighth step'), and awkward prepositional usage ('dumped in garbage again'). While these errors are noticeable and detract from precision, they do not impede overall communication. The control of grammar is adequate for a Band 6.0 score.

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