Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
the process is showing the recycling of plastic bottles. how bottles are recycle in real life.it contain 9 steps to complete and each part takes lots of responsibilities to complete on time so that it goes to next step on time.
firstly, we can easily see that we have to collect or throw the plastics bottles in the dustbin then the truck can transfer all the bottles into their big steel container.afterthat someone come and start differentiate the bottles which are recyclable or not is called sorting.furthermore,it compressing into blocks by machines and made into a square type box and goes inside the machines for crushing into small chunks.
afterthat, its start producing the pellets and heating the pellets to form raw material to make new one and cover into big size of bottles as a raw material and lastly its producing end products like new bottles polybags pens cover and so on.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to describe the nine-step process of recycling plastic bottles, covering the main stages from disposal to end products. However, the response lacks a proper overview and features numerous mechanical and uncritical descriptions, such as 'someone come and start differentiate the bottles'. While the overall progression of the process is mentioned, some stages are described rather simplistically and informally. The length requirement of 150 words is marginally met at 153 words. Because the ideas are somewhat under-developed and lack the formal academic register expected in Task 1, this response aligns best with a Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The text suffers from poor paragraphing, being divided into only three chunky paragraphs with minimal structural separation. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or repetitively, such as 'afterthat' (written as a single, misspelled word multiple times) and 'firstly'. There is a lack of varied transition signals to guide the reader smoothly through the cyclical stages. Referencing is also occasionally unclear. While there is a basic chronological arrangement following the diagram's flow, the mechanical and repetitive transitions prevent the response from achieving a higher band score. This performance fits the Band 5.0 descriptor.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The lexical range is limited and repetitive. The student relies on basic vocabulary such as 'big steel container', 'small chunks', and 'new one'. There are several word-formation and vocabulary errors, including 'differentiate' used instead of 'sort', and 'polybags pens cover' used instead of 'end products'. Spelling and word boundary issues are also present, such as 'afterthat'. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the basic topic of recycling, the frequent errors and lack of sophisticated phrasing place this firmly at Band 4.5 to 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0
The response features a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying mostly on simple sentences joined by coordinating conjunctions or repetitive sequencing words. There are numerous structural and punctuation errors throughout, including missing capitalisation at the start of sentences (e.g., 'it contain', 'firstly, we can easily see... afterthat someone come'), subject-verb agreement issues ('it compressing into blocks'), and run-on sentences. Complex structures are rare and frequently flawed. Due to the high frequency of grammatical errors and basic sentence patterns, this demonstrates Band 4.0 control.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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