Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-03

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 for recycling plastic bottles.

Overall the process consists of nine main stages, beginning with individuals throwing bottles in to the collection bins and ending with producing various types of products. The process involve a series of mechanical stages such as compressing, and crushing.

At the beginning of the proces, people put empty bottles in collection bins and carbidge trucks transport it to recyling centre. Next, these bottles are compressed into blocks and then crushed these bottles.

After Crushing occur, put all these crushed bottles into the water for cleaning purpose. After cleaning the crushed bottles in the next stage it converted into the plastic pellets. These pallets put on thes heat and coverted these into the raw material. Then this raw materail is use to producing different products such as bottles, tiffen clothes and bags etc. After using these items threw all these into bins again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response addresses the task only partially. While the overview outlines the general nature of the process, the details provided are limited and under-developed. For instance, the writer misses several key intermediate steps shown in the diagram, such as the sorting stage at the recycling centre and the washing phase description, jumping straight from crushing to cleaning in a disjointed manner. Furthermore, there is some confusion in reporting the sequence, as the description lacks a clear, comprehensive linear or cyclical overview of all the distinct phases. To move to a higher band, the student needs to ensure all main stages of the process are clearly identified, reported, and linked logically without omitting crucial parts of the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is some organisation evident in the attempt to break the response into paragraphs, but clear overall progression is lacking. The connection between sentences and ideas often feels mechanical or abrupt, relying on basic sequencing words like 'Next', 'Then', and 'After'. Additionally, referencing and pronoun use can be unclear, such as shifting subjects abruptly between sentences without proper cohesive ties. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal structure of the paragraphs lacks smooth flow. To achieve a higher score, the writer must use a wider and more accurate range of cohesive devices and ensure that information is logically grouped and transitions seamlessly from one step of the process to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and minimally adequate for the task. The student demonstrates basic control over everyday terms related to recycling, but encounters noticeable errors in spelling, word form, and word choice that cause some difficulty for the reader. Examples of lexical errors include 'carbidge' instead of garbage or collection, 'recyling' instead of recycling, 'proces' instead of process, 'pallets' instead of pellets, and 'tiffen clothes' instead of clothing or textiles. These frequent slips restrict the range of vocabulary. To improve, the writer needs to expand their range of process-related terminology and pay closer attention to spelling and accurate word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response exhibits a very limited range of sentence structures, relying heavily on simple clauses and basic active constructions. Attempts at complex sentences are often faulty, featuring frequent grammatical errors in subject-verb agreement, verb forms, and prepositions. Examples include 'The process involve' (incorrect agreement), 'At the beginning of the proces, people put... and carbidge trucks transport it' (incorrect pronoun reference from plural bottles to singular 'it'), and 'Then this raw materail is use to producing' (incorrect passive/active mix and gerund usage). These frequent errors persist throughout the text and can cause difficulty for the reader. To progress, the writer should incorporate a greater variety of complex grammatical structures and improve overall grammatical accuracy.

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.