Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-09

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 .

Overall, plastic bottles recycling process has 9 stages from selction of bottles to producing new products. In the beginning , plastic products thrown to dustbin from households and transport and collection of bin goes to recycling centre for sorting .In the centre, usable bottles are sorting and the products cannot be reused get destroyed. After that reuseble bin goes through compression into blocks for crushing into small pieces and washed immediatly .

Furthermore, producing plastic pellets started by using bulk mechinces later exctrated plastic pellets goes through heating process to get raw materials . Afterward, raw material is ready for further process to produce products . At the end of process , producing and products has made out of plastics waste . Those recycled products which has producted goes to supermarkets and marts and again after they get damaged consumers throw them into bins . All over again,recycling process will starts .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main stages and provide an overview that identifies a nine-stage process, beginning with collection and ending in new products before the cycle repeats. The account also includes sorting, compression, crushing, washing, pellet production and heating to create raw material, so it is generally relevant and the sequence is mostly recognisable. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: “plastic products thrown to dustbin” does not clearly describe bottles being placed in a recycling bin, and “the products cannot be reused get destroyed” overstates the diagram, which shows unsuitable items being rejected at sorting but does not explain their disposal. The machinery and final products are also described vaguely. More precise reporting of these stages would make the coverage more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows the process in a broadly logical order, and paragraphing separates the opening overview from the stage-by-stage account. Linking expressions such as “After that,” “Furthermore,” “Afterward” and “At the end” help signal progression. However, the sequence is sometimes difficult to follow because several stages are compressed into long sentences, and references such as “usable bottles,” “reuseble bin” and “those recycled products” are unclear. The transition from the sorting stage to compression, for example, would be easier to understand if each action were stated separately. Some connectors also feel mechanical or repetitive. Use clearer stage-by-stage sentences and precise references to the bottles, plastic and finished goods to strengthen progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “sorting,” “compression,” “crushing,” “pellets” and “raw material,” which helps communicate the general sequence. However, the range and control are limited, with repeated general terms such as “process,” “products” and “plastic.” Several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, including “transport and collection of bin,” “bulk mechinces,” “exctrated plastic pellets” and “producing and products has made.” Spelling errors such as “selction,” “reuseble” and “immediatly” are also noticeable and can slow the reader’s understanding. Aim for precise process language—for example, describe a truck collecting bottles and a machine producing pellets—and check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the overall sequence can usually be understood. However, control of sentence structure and basic grammar is inconsistent. For example, “plastic products thrown to dustbin” lacks a finite verb and article, while “usable bottles are sorting” uses an incorrect passive form. There are also agreement and tense problems in “producing plastic pellets started” and “those recycled products which has producted.” Punctuation spacing is uneven, and some sentences join several stages without clear grammatical boundaries. Practise accurate passive constructions for processes, such as “the bottles are sorted” and “the plastic is washed,” alongside correct subject–verb agreement and sentence punctuation.

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.