Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The diagram illustrates the process of recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, the diagram shows the recycling process of bottles in nine steps. This tells the whole procedure due to which we came to know how the bottles are recycled.

Initially, people throw the used plastic bottles in the garbage box.When the whole box got filled with garbage, people hired by the government come, and took it with them.They are assigned to do this task.Thry took it to the recycling center, where this rubbish got sorted.

Afterwards, sorted garbage compressed by a compressor in blocks. This trash crushed into smaller pieces and washed automatically.Moreover, these small pieces thrown into the machine that produce plastic pellets. Then, the pellets got heated to form taw material.

Furthermore, the produced raw material is then used for producing and making different products.

In conclusion, this whole process is necessary for the reusable of plastic that can prevent the environment.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response attempts to cover all parts of the task by outlining the main stages of the plastic bottle recycling process, but the coverage is only partial. While an overall summary is provided, some steps are described with limited detail and slight inaccuracies, such as mentioning that people hired by the government collect the bins, which is not depicted in the source diagram. The explanation of the steps relies heavily on repetitive narration rather than a well-developed reporting of the main features. To reach a higher band, the response would need to select and report the key stages more accurately and extend the descriptions with clearer comparisons or overviews.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The writing demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear attempt to structure the process sequentially using transition words like 'Initially', 'Afterwards', 'Moreover', and 'In conclusion'. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical and referencing is occasionally unclear, as seen in pronoun shifts and abrupt transitions between sentences. Paragraphing is attempted, but sentences within paragraphs feel somewhat disjointed rather than flowing smoothly. To progress to the next level, the student needs to employ a wider and more flexible range of cohesive devices and ensure smoother logical progression throughout the text.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate for describing a basic process, featuring words such as 'garbage', 'sorted', 'compressed', and 'pellets'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors and awkward word choices, such as 'garbage box' instead of recycling bin, 'taw material' (a spelling error for raw material), and the unnatural phrase 'reusable of plastic'. These errors and spelling mistakes occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. To achieve a higher band, the student must expand their lexical range, incorporate less common vocabulary with greater precision, and eliminate spelling mistakes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response shows a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying mostly on simple sentences with frequent attempts at complex forms that are often faulty. There are multiple grammatical errors throughout the text, including missing or incorrect articles ('the recycling center', 'by compressor'), incorrect prepositions, subject-verb agreement issues ('garbage compressed', 'small pieces thrown'), and punctuation errors. These frequent errors can cause some difficulty for the reader. To move up, the student needs to demonstrate a greater variety of complex structures and maintain much better control over basic grammar and verb forms.

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.