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 for recycling plastic bottles. It shows the different stages of how plastic is recycled.

Overall, the process containes total nine steps for recycleing of plastic bottle which starts from the throwing plastic bottle in dustbin to producing new products at end. Where sorting, crushing and hating takes place.

First step starts by throwing plastic bottles in the specific container. After the container full of plastic is transported by truck to recycling centre where the separation and sorting happens which specifies the bottle eligible for recycling. Before crushing it is compressed in block. In next stage washing of crushed plastic is done.

Plastic pellets are made after washing and crushing. to make new items from that plastic pellets are heated to make a specific material. After all process of making raw materials certain products are made namely plastic rcycled bottles, plastic boxes, polythine and some other raw material use in differnt products.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main stages of the plastic bottle recycling process, from discarding the bottle to the creation of new end products. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, mentioning the total number of steps and key actions like sorting, crushing, and heating. However, some aspects of the process are under-developed or described with limited detail. For instance, the transition from washing to the production of plastic pellets is slightly rushed, and the final stage lists end products rather than fully integrating how the loop returns to the initial throwing stage. To reach a higher level, the response would need to extend and support the description of each key phase more thoroughly, ensuring a clearer and more comprehensive summary of the entire diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text presents a coherent overall arrangement with a logical progression following the chronological flow of the diagram. The writing is divided into distinct paragraphs, starting with an introduction and overview, followed by the sequential steps of the recycling process. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or faulty. For example, transitional phrases like 'First step starts by' and 'In next stage' are repetitive or awkwardly phrased, and referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'Before crushing it is compressed in block.' To achieve a higher standard, the response should employ a more flexible and natural variety of cohesive devices and ensure smoother transitions between sentences and paragraphs without relying on repetitive formulas.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, allowing the writer to communicate the basic stages of the recycling diagram. There are several attempts to use less common vocabulary related to the topic, such as 'transported', 'separation', 'compressed', and 'recycling centre'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors throughout the text, including word form errors ('recycled' written as 'rcycled', 'recycleing' instead of 'recycling', 'polythine' instead of 'polythene'), spelling mistakes ('containes', 'hating', 'differnt'), and awkward word choices ('throwing plastic bottle in dustbin' or 'specific material'). These errors occasionally detract from the precision of the writing, though they do not seriously impede overall communication. A wider and more accurate range of vocabulary, along with careful proofreading for spelling and word forms, is needed to improve this criterion.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response uses a mix of simple and some complex sentence forms, demonstrating an attempt to structure sentences beyond basic clauses. There are, however, several grammatical errors in verb forms, articles, and prepositions within grammatical patterns. Examples include 'the process containes total nine steps', 'the container full of plastic is transported', 'to make new items from that plastic pellets are heated' (missing punctuation or conjunction), and 'use in differnt products' (incorrect participle form). Despite these errors in grammar and punctuation, the sentences generally remain understandable and rarely impede communication. To progress further, the writer needs to improve the accuracy of complex sentence structures, ensure correct subject-verb agreement, and polish punctuation and article usage.

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.