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 making producing end products by the recycling plastic bottles.

Overall,the process of plastic bottles are recycled by nine methods as begin with collecting bottles from the garbadge and ending with producing end products.

Firstly,the process start with the collecting plastic bottles from the garbadge or dustbins then load in vechials then transport to near factory by the help of truck after that some worker recycling the bottles with two part which is correct or not the saperate in recycling center.Moreover compressing the all bottles into blocks then turn into crushing process where all bottles are crushed in small pices.In additionlly,washing the cristal with clean water.

Again,following the process when washing are complete then producing plastic pellets by the machine as well as heating pellets to form raw materials then pack in diffirent cylinder in raw materials and in the final process are making diffirent types of things such as new bottles,small boxes,pen and also t-shirt or bag this is the fnishing process of recycling plastic bottles.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main stages of the diagram, from collecting and sorting bottles through processing them into pellets and raw material, to making new products. The overview also identifies the start and end of the cycle, and examples such as bottles, boxes, a T-shirt and a bag are relevant. However, some details are unclear or imprecise: “collecting bottles from the garbadge or dustbins” does not clearly describe placing bottles in a recycling bin, and “pack in diffirent cylinder” is not supported by the diagram, which shows raw material on a pallet. The sorting stage is mentioned, but the two outcomes (accepted and rejected bottles) could be explained more clearly. A more precise overview and accurate reporting of these details would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and two paragraphs describing the stages. Sequencing words such as “Firstly,” “after that,” “Moreover,” and “following the process” help the reader follow the cycle. However, some links feel mechanical, and the progression becomes difficult to track in places, particularly in the long first-stage sentence that combines collection, transport and sorting. “Again” does not clearly signal the transition to the next part of the process, while “In additionlly” introduces washing without a clear connection to the preceding crushing stage. Use shorter stage-focused sentences and clearer references to the previous step so that the sequence is consistently easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “compressing,” “crushing,” “plastic pellets,” “raw materials” and “end products,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There is also some variety in how you describe the stages. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate or misspelled choices make parts harder to understand, such as “garbadge,” “vechials,” “saperate,” “pices” and “cristal.” Some phrases are also unnatural for this process: “making producing end products” and “pack in diffirent cylinder in raw materials.” Choose precise process terms and check spelling and collocations. For example, describe bottles as being “sorted into accepted and rejected items,” then “formed into blocks” and “processed into pellets.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the use of sequencing clauses shows an effort to describe a multi-stage process. However, errors in verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence construction occur across the response. Examples include “the process start,” “the process of plastic bottles are recycled,” and “when washing are complete”; these should use consistent subject–verb agreement and passive forms where appropriate. Several sentences also lack a clear grammatical structure, especially “Moreover compressing the all bottles into blocks” and “In additionlly,washing the cristal with clean water.” Punctuation spacing is inconsistent, and some sentences run several stages together. Practise accurate passive constructions such as “the bottles are sorted” and “the pellets are heated,” while separating each stage into a complete sentence.

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