Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram provides information about the recycling process of the plastic bottles.

Overall, the process is cyclical, and contains 9 different stages beginning with throwing bottles to the bin, and ending with producing end products.

First, the consumer throws plastic bottles to the container. After that garbage, including the plastic bottle, are transported to the recycling centre, where collected bottles are sorted. On the recycling centre it is decided if the bottle can be recycled or not. Following this, bottles are compressed into the blocks and the next stage is done by using the special machines that crushes the blocks made in the previous step into small pieces. Once this has been done, crushed bottles are being washed and transported to the next machine.

In the following stage the plastic pallets are produced, after that the pallets are heated so the raw material can be form. Once this has been done the raw material is ready, the final stage is production of end products as clothes, new bottles or plastic bags. After that the process starts from the beginning.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response covers the main stages and gives a clear overview that the process is cyclical, with nine stages, beginning with disposal and ending in end products. Most of the sequence is accurately reported, including sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pellet production and heating. The sorting decision is also mentioned, though the two outcomes are not explained. Some details are less fully represented: the diagram shows the finished raw material being made into several products, including food containers and pencils, while the response gives only broad examples such as clothes, bottles and bags. The account is relevant and generally clear; to develop it further, describe the stages and outputs more precisely and avoid adding details not shown, such as “garbage” being transported with the bottles.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a sensible sequence, moving from the overview through the collection and processing stages to the final products and the loop back to the start. Paragraphing separates the overview from the detailed account, and transitions such as “First,” “After that,” and “Once this has been done” help the reader follow the process. This provides coherent overall progression, although the repeated time-linking phrases make some connections feel mechanical. The long middle paragraph also groups many stages together, while the final paragraph contains several steps in one sentence. Use a wider range of concise links and divide the process into clearer stages; ensure references such as “the next machine” identify the relevant step without relying on the reader to infer it.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

Vocabulary is adequate for describing a process, with useful terms such as “cyclical,” “sorted,” “compressed,” “crush,” and “raw material.” These choices communicate the main actions, and the writer attempts some task-specific language. However, several word choices or forms are inaccurate: “pallets” is used for plastic pellets, “container” is less precise than “recycling bin,” and “garbage” is not an appropriate description of the bottles being collected. “Special machines” is also vague, and “clothes” is less precise than “a T-shirt,” as shown in the diagram. Greater accuracy in technical vocabulary and collocation would make the description more precise and natural. Check spelling and word forms carefully, especially for key process terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentences, including subordinate clauses such as “where collected bottles are sorted” and “Once this has been done.” The sequence remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “garbage … are transported” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “the blocks … crushes” also mismatches subject and verb. The phrase “the raw material can be form” has an incorrect verb form, and “On the recycling centre it is decided” has an awkward prepositional construction. There are also article and plural issues in phrases such as “into the blocks.” Aim for more consistent agreement and accurate passive forms, and proofread sentence boundaries and punctuation. These corrections would improve control while retaining the range of structures already attempted.

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