Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The diagram illustrates steps for recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, there are nine steps in the whole process when the first step is the placing a plastic bottle in the recycling bin and the last one is a new product.

After the first step, bottles arive to a sorting station. Delivered by track. After the sorting, plastic is going throw comprasing and big blocks of it are ready. Next step is crushing it to small pellets and washing it.

When the pellets are ready and clean it going throw heating in order to recieve the material in it's raw form. Raw material placed together and ready to be delivered.

The final step is a lot of new products that created like pencils, boxes, t-shirts,bags and bottles.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the task partially, outlining the overall nine-step process of recycling plastic bottles from collection to final products. However, the description lacks sufficient detail in several stages, and some parts are under-developed. Furthermore, the response falls short of the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, containing only 125 words. To reach a higher band, the writer should ensure all key features of the process are fully described and extended, while meeting the required length.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response presents an overall coherent arrangement and follows the chronological order of the diagram. There is a clear attempt to structure the process, starting with an introductory sentence and moving through the stages sequentially. However, cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'After' and 'Next step', and paragraphing is underdeveloped since the text is grouped into a few short blocks rather than a well-organized structure. To improve, the writer needs to employ a wider and more flexible variety of cohesive markers and organize the text into logical paragraphs.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The lexical range is limited but minimally adequate for describing the process. The student attempts some less common vocabulary related to the topic, such as 'recycling bin', 'sorting station', 'pellets', and 'raw material'. However, there are noticeable spelling and word choice errors, including 'arive', 'track' instead of 'truck', 'throw' instead of 'through', and 'comprasing' instead of 'compressing', which occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. To achieve a higher band, the writer must expand their vocabulary range and improve spelling and word formation accuracy.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writer uses a limited range of sentence structures, relying mostly on simple sentences with occasional attempts at complex forms that are often faulty, such as 'when the first step is the placing a plastic bottle'. There are frequent errors in grammar, articles, and prepositions, including 'bottles arive', 'plastic is going throw comprasing', 'is going throw heating', and 'products that created'. These frequent errors can cause some difficulty for the reader. To improve, the writer needs to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures with greater accuracy and better control over verb forms and articles.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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