Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The flow chart provides information on the multiple steps involved in the process for recycling of plastic bottles.

The closed loop process involves nine distinct steps beginning with collection of plastic bottles and culminating with the production of new products using the raw material derived from the bottles. The overall process requires human involvement while few steps have been automated using machines.

The process begins with a designated bin that serves to collect plastic bottles from people. The collected bottles are then picked up by a vehicle that transports it to the recycling centre. At the centre the bottles are manually sorted based on whether the plastic is recyclable or not. The recyclable waste is then compressed into blocks that can subsequently be crushed to produce smaller particles. The bits of plastic produced by mechanical crushing is then washed in a tank before it is poured into a machine that is designed to produce plastic pellets.

The raw material required to manufacture new products is then obtained by heating the plastic pellets. Finally, this raw material can be used for the production of a range of products such as water bottles, food containers, pencils, clothing items and recyclable bags. These items can subsequently be recycled to once again produce the raw material.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response successfully covers all parts of the task by outlining the main stages of the plastic bottle recycling process. An effective overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the closed-loop nature of the sequence and the involvement of both human labour and machinery. Key stages are accurately reported, from the initial collection bin and sorting at the recycling centre to crushing, washing, pellet production, heating, and finally the creation of new end products. However, the description tends to follow a standard linear sequence without providing deeper analytical comparisons or synthesising the stages more fluidly. To reach a higher band, the overview could highlight the cyclic nature and key turning points more dynamically throughout the body paragraphs.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response demonstrates clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Information flows naturally from the initial collection phase in the first body paragraph through the intermediate processing stages and concludes with the final manufacturing and recycling loop. Cohesive devices such as 'The process begins with', 'The collected bottles are then', and 'Finally' are used effectively to guide the reader through the sequence. Paragraphing is logical and well-managed, separating the introduction, the overview, the core mechanical steps, and the final output. To achieve a higher level of cohesion, the writer could incorporate more advanced, subtle referencing and avoid repetitive transitional structures.

Lexical Resource: Band 7.0

The vocabulary used is sufficient for the task and demonstrates some flexibility and precision with terms such as 'closed loop', 'designated bin', 'mechanised crushing', and 'end products'. The writer attempts less common lexical items with general awareness of style and collocation, appropriately describing industrial processes. However, there are minor awkward phrasings, such as 'process for recycling of plastic bottles' instead of 'plastic bottle recycling process', and a minor pronoun agreement slip ('transports it' referring to 'bottles'). A wider range of sophisticated phrasing and completely error-free collocation would be necessary to push this score higher.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

The response exhibits a good variety of complex sentence structures, including relative clauses ('that serves to collect', 'that is designed to') and participial phrases ('beginning with collection', 'derived from the bottles'). There are frequent error-free sentences, and the overall control of grammar and punctuation is strong. Minor errors persist, such as the singular/plural mismatch in 'while few steps have been automated' (where 'a few' was intended) and the aforementioned singular pronoun referencing plural bottles ('transports it'). Punctuation is generally accurate, and verb tenses are handled consistently throughout the descriptive sequence.

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