Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-02

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 6.5)

The diagram illustrates the recycling process of plastic bottles and how it is converted into raw form to make it useable again.

Overall, it is evident that the recycling process involves seven sequential stages, beginning with the collection of plastic bottles from waste and transported into factories which culminates into the formation of raw plastic, which further used to produce many end products.

The cycle initiates with the collection of plastic bottles from the waste and garbage, followed by its tranportation to the recycling centres. In the centres, the labours carry out the sorting process where they separate the bottles which can undergo recycling process and discard the rest of them. After sorting, the separated bottes compressed into blocks.

Now the actual process starts, where the compressed blocks of plastic are crushed into small pieces. This subsequent stage is followed by washing, where all the dirt on the small pieces are removed. After this , they passed through the machine and plastic pellets are produced. Then, these small pellets heated for considerable amount of time to produce final raw material. This raw material is further supplied to the factories to form different products such as Clothes and plastic crockery.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully addresses all parts of the task by presenting an overview and reporting the main stages of the plastic bottle recycling process. It covers the linear progression from initial collection through sorting, crushing, washing, pelletising, and heating, up to the final creation of raw material and end products. However, some aspects are slightly under-developed or inaccurately described. For instance, the overview mentions seven stages whereas the diagram outlines a nine-step circular process, and certain details lack precision. To reach a higher level, the response should provide a more thoroughly extended and accurate summary of all key mechanical steps without minor inaccuracies in sequence interpretation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The text presents a coherent overall arrangement and follows a logical sequence from the beginning to the end of the recycling loop. Paragraphing is utilised to separate the introduction, overview, and body details. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the stages, using markers such as 'Overall', 'The cycle initiates with', and 'After sorting'. However, referencing and cohesion occasionally feel somewhat mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent reliance on 'After this' and 'Then'. To achieve a higher standard, the transitional phrases could be more varied and sophisticated to ensure a smoother, more seamless progression of ideas throughout the description.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, successfully communicating the main features of the diagram. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary items and process-specific terminology such as 'sequential stages', 'recycling centres', 'plastic pellets', and 'raw material'. Nevertheless, there are notable word choice and spelling inaccuracies that prevent a higher score, including 'tranportation', 'bottes' instead of bottles, and awkward phrasing such as 'converted into raw form to make it useable again'. To improve, the writer needs to exercise greater precision in word formation, spelling, and collocation when describing industrial processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, attempting relative clauses and participial phrases such as 'beginning with the collection of plastic bottles from waste and transported into factories'. There are several grammatical errors and punctuation lapses, such as missing prepositions or articles ('bottles compressed into blocks', 'these small pellets heated'), comma splices, and awkward passive constructions ('are removed', 'they passed'). Despite these errors, meaning is rarely impeded. To reach the next level, the writer must demonstrate better control over complex sentence patterns, verb agreement, and article usage to produce a higher proportion of error-free sentences.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.