Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates a nine step procedure, from recycling plastic bottles to converting it into different products.

Overall, the process starts with the recyling of plastic bottles in a trash bin, which are collected by trucks. In the end, they are converted into raw materials through a series of steps, resulting in the production of various products.

In the first step plastic bottles are thrown away in a trash bin, which is later collected by a truck. Afterwards, the bottles are transported to recycling centre, where they are seperated according to their categories, before they are comprossed into blocks for further process.

After compression, they are crushed into smaller pieces in a crushing machine and are are washed in a container. In the sixth step, small crushed pieces are thrown in another machine to produce plastic pellets, before heating the pellets to form raw material. Afterwards, they are converted into raw materials, which are then changed into different kinds of products like bottles, boxes, clothes and stationary etc.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by outlining the nine stages of the plastic bottle recycling process, and it includes a clear overall summary at the beginning. However, certain parts are more fully developed than others. While the initial sorting and compression steps are mentioned, the later stages regarding the conversion of pellets into raw material and end products are somewhat repetitive and lack precise details shown in the diagram, such as the specific heating phase. To reach a higher level, the response should extend and support all stages of the process more evenly without repeating information.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The text presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear division into an introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. Progression is generally logical, moving chronologically through the process. Cohesive devices such as 'In the first step', 'Afterwards', and 'After compression' are used to guide the reader through the stages, though referencing is occasionally repetitive or mechanical. To achieve a higher band, the paragraphing and transitional phrases could be managed with greater flexibility, and referencing words like 'they' could be handled more precisely to avoid minor ambiguities regarding whether the pronoun refers to bottles or materials.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying the general actions in the recycling loop. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are several spelling and word choice errors, such as 'recyling', 'seperated', and 'compronged' (intended as compressed), along with 'stationary' instead of 'stationery'. The student attempts some less common vocabulary like 'converting', 'transported', and 'categories', but these are accompanied by recurring inaccuracies that prevent a higher score. Expanding the precise terminology for manufacturing and material processing would strengthen this area.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as the use of relative clauses ('which are collected by trucks') and temporal clauses ('before they are compressed into blocks'). There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, including subject-verb agreement issues ('small crushed pieces are thrown... and are are washed') and missing articles ('to recycling centre'). Fortunately, these errors rarely impede communication. To move to a higher band, the writer needs to produce a greater proportion of error-free complex structures and ensure tighter control over articles and prepositions.

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

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