Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The given diagram delineates the method used for reusing bottles made of plastic. There are total 9 steps involved.
To begin with, first step involves the collection of plastic bottles into a separate recycling bin. After that, a garbage truck carries the bin to a recycling centre for separation of waste materials into a proper category. It should be carefully noted that bottles that can be recycled are put in the correct box and other in the incorrect box. Furthermore, next step is compressing of bottles into blocks which are crushed in the crusher. The crushed material is then washed and turned into plastic pellets.
In the seventh step, the plastic pellets are melted by heating to convert it into raw material. Last but not the least, the raw material is finally changed into producing and products.
Finally, the products are sold in the market and again recycled after use.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The student covers all the key stages of the plastic bottle recycling process from the initial collection in Stage 1 to the final production of end products and the recycling loop. The response selects and reports the main features correctly, noting the sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pelletising, and heating phases. The overview provided at the beginning mentions the total number of steps. However, the development of some steps is relatively basic, such as 'other in the incorrect box' and 'producing and products' (which contains a slight typo or inaccurate reading of the diagram's final label). Despite these minor mechanical descriptions, the overall progression is accurately tracked and fulfills the requirements of Task 1.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay is logically organised, following the chronological sequence of the diagram from start to finish. The writer uses basic sequencing and transitional devices such as 'To begin with', 'After that', 'Furthermore', and 'In the seventh step' to guide the reader through the 9-stage process. Paragraphing is attempted, though the division is somewhat uneven, with a very short middle paragraph and an abrupt final sentence. Cohesive devices are generally effective, but referencing occasionally feels slightly mechanical, such as 'other in the incorrect box', which impacts the overall flow. Progression is clear overall, but paragraph structuring could be more balanced.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The lexical range is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating specific process-related vocabulary such as 'recycling centre', 'separation', 'compressing', 'crushed', 'washed', 'plastic pellets', and 'raw material'. There are, however, some lexical and collocation inaccuracies, such as 'reusing bottles made of plastic' (instead of recycling), 'proper category', and the awkward phrase 'producing and products' instead of 'end products'. Spelling and word formation are generally clear, but vocabulary choice remains somewhat restricted and occasionally repetitive ('plastic bottles', 'raw material'), limiting the score to a 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilising passive constructions effectively in places, such as 'the plastic pellets are melted by heating to convert it into raw material' and 'the crushed material is then washed'. However, there are notable grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, including 'There are total 9 steps involved' (missing article and preposition), 'first step involves' (missing determiner), and pronoun agreement issues like 'convert it' referring back to 'pellets'. Punctuation is generally fine, but the grammatical control fluctuates between accurate passive structures and basic slips in simple sentences.
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