Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The waste material thrown by the people in the dustbins is not actually waste. It can be recycled through a process. The garbage collector container collects that waste for recycling. Firstly it is sorted recycling centre where the recycling plant is available. It undergoes compression to make blocks so that it can be crushed. So, crushers are used to crush these blocks. In a result, plastic pelletes are produced though a specific machine. To get the raw material from plastic pellets, it has to get through heating procedure. After heating process, the raw material is sorted in the recycling centre for s by the factories or wide range of industries. for making clothes, bottles, and other products.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify several central stages, including sorting, compressing, crushing, pellet production and heating, so the response is recognisably about the recycling process. However, it only partially covers the diagram: it omits the initial disposal and collection stages, the washing stage, and the loop in which recycled material becomes new products and returns to use. The claim that raw material is “sorted in the recycling centre” is not shown; it is used to produce end products. There is also no clear overview of the complete cycle. The response is 117 words, below the required 150, which leaves important stages and comparisons undeveloped. To improve, describe the process from disposal through to the range of products and explain that it forms a cycle.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The stages are presented in a mostly chronological order, and sequencing expressions such as “Firstly,” “So,” and “After heating process” help the reader follow parts of the process. However, the response is one paragraph and has no clear opening overview or concluding account of how the cycle returns to its beginning. Some links are awkward or unclear, particularly “In a result” and the final fragment beginning “for making clothes.” The transition from heating to the claim about sorting also disrupts the process sequence. Organise the response into a brief introduction and overview followed by a clearly ordered description, using accurate links such as “next,” “after washing,” and “finally” to show each transition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “compression,” “crushed,” “pellets,” and “raw material,” which helps communicate the main stages. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this diagram. “Dustbins” and “garbage collector container” do not clearly name the recycling bin and collection truck, while “pelletes” is misspelled and “through a specific machine” is vague. The phrase “raw material is sorted” also gives the wrong process meaning. Use precise labels from the diagram and vary process verbs, for example, “collected,” “sorted,” “washed,” and “converted.” Check spelling and collocations so that the reader can identify each stage without guessing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts a few different sentence patterns, including passive constructions such as “It undergoes compression” and “plastic pellets are produced,” which are suitable for describing a process. However, control is inconsistent, and several sentences contain errors or incomplete structures. For example, “Firstly it is sorted recycling centre” is missing necessary grammatical elements, and “After heating process” needs an article. The ending, “for making clothes, bottles, and other products,” is a sentence fragment, while “the raw material is sorted … for s by the factories” is difficult to interpret because the sentence structure breaks down. Practise complete passive sentences with clear subjects and articles, and proofread punctuation and sentence boundaries.

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