Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-01

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 diagram illustrates the process of recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, the process of recycling plastic bottles are divided in 9 stages. In 9 stages both the manually and insdustrial manufacturing are included.

Firstly, we collected empty plastic bottles from bins(1). Then booked a transport for conveying to a recycling center(2). In 3 step bottles are sorted in recycling center. Bottles are compressed, then they give to a blocks shape(4). After compression the bottles into blocks, bottles are crushing in machines and washed after crushing(5).

Secondly, the crushing bottles are converted into plastic pellets. The machines are produced plastic pallets through crushing bottles(6). Heating the pallets to form a raw material. Heating pallets are form in raw material(7). Raw material are produced(8). After the raw material produce, they are used in different form to make new things. Raw material are used to make led pencils and plastic boxes, they are used in houses and offices(9). At the end products are produce.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response attempts to cover the main stages of the recycling process, providing an overview of the nine steps involved. However, the development of ideas is limited and uneven. While the writer mentions sorting, compression, crushing, washing, and pellet production, some descriptions are repetitive or mechanical, such as the redundant explanations regarding heating the pallets and producing raw material. Furthermore, the perspective shifts inappropriately into the first person ("we collected empty plastic bottles"), which is unsuitable for an academic report. To reach a higher level, the writer should present a clearer, more objective overview and ensure all key stages are described with greater precision, avoiding unnecessary repetition.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text demonstrates some basic organization with chronological sequencing markers like "Firstly," "Secondly," and "At the end." However, there is no clear overall progression due to fragmented paragraphing and abrupt transitions between sentences. Cohesive devices are frequently mechanical or misused, such as "In 3 step bottles are sorted" and "After compression the bottles into blocks, bottles are crushing." Reference links between sentences are occasionally unclear, making the flow somewhat disjointed. To improve, the writer needs to use a wider and more natural range of cohesive devices, ensure smoother transitions between the various stages of the diagram, and structure the response into logical paragraphs that guide the reader clearly through the entire process.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and barely adequate for the task, with noticeable errors that occasionally impede understanding. The writer relies heavily on basic terms and attempts less common vocabulary with frequent errors in word form and collocation, such as "insdustrial" (industrial), "giving to a blocks shape," and "led pencils" instead of lead pencils. There are also awkward phrasings like "crushing bottles are converted" instead of crushed bottles. To achieve a higher band, the writer must expand their lexical repertoire to include more precise process-related terminology (e.g., "shredded," "melted," "extruded") and pay closer attention to word formation, spelling, and standard collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response exhibits a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying mostly on simple sentences with frequent errors that cause difficulty for the reader. There are persistent issues with subject-verb agreement, such as "the process... are divided" and "Raw material are produced." Article usage is frequently incorrect or missing (e.g., "in recycling center", "in 3 step"), and passive voice constructions are mishandled, as seen in "bottles are crushing in machines" instead of are crushed. Punctuation and tense consistency also need significant improvement. To progress, the writer must practice forming accurate complex sentences, master passive structures which are essential for process diagrams, and monitor basic grammatical rules such as pluralization and verb agreement.

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