Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-06
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 4.0)
The diagram gives information about the process flow for recycling plastic bottles.Process in series of stages.
The first step in the begining is the collection of waste in recycling bins after that it transported by truck to recycling center where it is sorted by different types of waste than sent to compressi
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 3.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0
The response falls significantly short of the minimum length requirement of 150 words, containing only 52 words and stopping abruptly mid-sentence at 'than sent to compressi'. Consequently, the overview and the main features of the plastic bottle recycling process are only minimally addressed. The writing attempts to describe the initial stages of the diagram, such as the collection of waste and sorting at the recycling centre, but fails to cover the entire process or make the necessary comparisons. To improve, the student must ensure the essay reaches the word count and covers all stages of the visual data from start to finish.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5
The response attempts to organise the information chronologically using transition phrases such as 'The first step in the begining' and 'after that'. However, due to the extreme brevity of the text and the abrupt ending, there is no clear overall progression or paragraph structure. Cohesive devices are minimal and mechanical. To reach a higher level, the student needs to structure the response into clear paragraphs—typically an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing the steps—while using a wider range of cohesive ties logically to connect the stages of the diagram.
Lexical Resource: Band 4.5
The vocabulary used is basic and minimally adequate for the task, with attempts at process-related terminology such as 'collection', 'waste', 'recycling bins', and 'sorted'. There are spelling errors such as 'begining' instead of 'beginning', and word choice issues like 'transported' lacking a necessary auxiliary verb. The unfinished word 'compressi' also limits lexical control. To improve, the student should incorporate a wider variety of precise, less common vocabulary related to industrial processes and manufacturing, while paying careful attention to spelling and word forms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
The text displays a very limited range of grammatical structures and suffers from run-on sentences and missing punctuation. For example, the opening sentence 'The diagram gives information about the process flow for recycling plastic bottles.Process in series of stages.' lacks a proper predicate in the second sentence. Furthermore, the sentence starting with 'The first step in the begining is...' runs on without punctuation and misses essential verbs and prepositions, such as 'is transported'. To achieve a higher score, the student must demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence forms with accurate punctuation, subject-verb agreement, and correct verb tenses.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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