Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-04

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 the linear process for recycling plastic bottles to be reused again.

Overall, the manufacturing process consists of nine distinct stages, starting with putting old bottles into bins which are then collected by a garbage vehicle and culminating in the finished things. The whole procedure involves collecting litter, compressing, crushing and raw material.

Initially, plastic containers are thrown into the bins provided by the government and subsequently lifted up by a truck. The garbage is then reached into a center where it is sorted at different levels. Afterwards, better items to be recycled are compressed into large blocks and are ready for crushing through special machinery, the crushed material is also washed after crushing.

In the subsequent phase, to produce small pellets of plastic the crushed items are putted into another machine. Which are then blown from that machine through blower and a stack is formed. Finally, pellets are heated to form raw material and that material is remanufactured to make such things like t-shirts, pencils, bags and other plastic containers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all parts of the prompt by presenting an overview of the nine-stage recycling process and reporting the main features, although it contains a minor inaccuracy by describing the loop as a linear process. The key stages are adequately identified, from initial collection and sorting to crushing, washing, pelletising, and the final production of end items. However, certain parts of the description remain somewhat under-developed, lacking the full extension needed for higher levels. The overview provided in the second paragraph captures the main progression well, but touches on general summaries rather than fully synthesising the core mechanics of the cycle. To reach the next level, the writer should ensure complete accuracy in describing structural relationships—such as the closed-loop nature of the diagram—and extend the discussion of key transitional phases with greater clarity and precision.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The text maintains a coherent overall arrangement and follows a logical chronological progression that guides the reader step-by-step through the diagram. Paragraphing is used adequately to divide the introduction, overview, and body details. However, cohesion is at times mechanical or somewhat faulty; for instance, the transition 'Which are then blown from that machine through blower and a stack is formed' creates an abrupt fragment and weakens the flow between sentences. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as pronoun placement in relation to the pelletising steps. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to employ cohesive devices more flexibly and ensure that subordinate clauses are seamlessly integrated into complex sentences rather than standing as disconnected fragments.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response employs an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for a basic description of a mechanical process, utilising terms such as 'recycling center', 'compressed', 'crushing', and 'raw material'. However, there are notable lexical limitations and word choice errors, such as describing the process as 'linear' rather than cyclical, and awkward phrasing like 'finished things', 'garbage is then reached into a center', and 'putted'. Spelling and word formation errors, while generally not impeding overall communication, prevent the response from securing a higher band. To improve, the writer should incorporate less common lexical items with greater precision and pay closer attention to standard collocations and verb forms associated with technical processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The writing displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over basic structures. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing patterns throughout the text, including prepositional errors ('reached into a center'), passive voice miscues, and structural fragmentation, notably starting a sentence with a relative pronoun ('Which are then blown...'). Punctuation and article usage also exhibit occasional lapses. Despite these errors, they rarely impede communication entirely, placing the grammatical control comfortably at this level. To advance further, the writer must increase the proportion of error-free complex sentences and ensure accurate handling of subordinate clauses and verb inflections.

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