Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-07

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 how plastic bottles are recycled.

Overall, this process involves nine stages beignning begnning the collection of plastic bottles and ending with the production of different products.

This process starts with the collection of plastic bottles in the different types of recycling bins. After this, these plastic bottles are collected by a collection van. Furthermore, the collection van deliver thses bottles to a recycling centre, where worker are organize them into selected and rejected boxes. The next step involves the compression of these bottles and converted into compressing blocks. Then these compressing blocks are crushed through a crushing machine and wash thorugh water.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the diagram as a recycling process and give a brief overview that it has nine stages, begins with collection and ends with new products. The stages you describe—collection, transport, sorting, compression, crushing and washing—mostly match the diagram. However, the response stops at washing, so it omits the later stages of pellet production, heating, raw material and manufacture of end products; these are essential features of the process. The overview also says the process ends with products but does not explain that the diagram shows a loop back to the recycling bin. In addition, the required minimum length is not met, leaving the summary substantially incomplete. Cover the full cycle and include its return loop.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic, understandable sequence: it introduces the diagram, gives an overview, and then describes the early stages in order. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “After this,” “Furthermore,” and “Then” help show progression. However, the account ends abruptly after washing, and the single body paragraph does not organise the process into clear stages or a complete cycle. Some links are also repetitive or awkward, particularly the repeated references to “these plastic bottles” and the transition from compression to crushing. Use a paragraph for the overview and one or more for the chronological details, then carry the sequence through to the final products and return arrow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “recycling centre,” “collection van,” “compression,” “crushing machine,” and “selected and rejected boxes,” so the reader can follow the main stages. However, the range is narrow and several choices are inaccurate or repetitive. “Compressing blocks” is not a natural description of the resulting material; “compressed blocks” is clearer. “Wash through water” is also an awkward phrase, and “collection van” is less precise than “collection truck.” Spelling errors such as “begnning,” “thses,” and “thorugh” are noticeable and reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process terms and vary repeated nouns, for example by using “bottles,” “plastic,” and “the material” where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple sentences and longer structures, including a relative clause in “where worker are organize them” and a sequence of actions joined with “and.” The meaning is generally recoverable, but errors in verb forms, agreement and sentence construction are evident. For example, “the collection van deliver” needs a singular verb, while “where worker are organize them” should be recast as “where workers sort them.” The phrase “involves the compression of these bottles and converted into compressing blocks” lacks a parallel grammatical structure; write, for example, “the bottles are compressed into blocks.” The final sentence also shifts between passive forms without consistent control. Practise accurate passive constructions, which are especially useful for describing processes.

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