Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The diagram illustrates the process for recycling plastic bottles and transformed into new products

Overall ,the processed exemplify the cycle that is begin with throwing plastic in can and then culiminate with new products.

To initiate with throwing plastics in recycled can which is gathered from households and markets before transported to recycling centre.After transported through truck, they sorted it and then compressed in to blocks by machine

Following thi, the plastics is going through crushing machine and washed into water and then jagged pieces of plastic is going under the process of machine to produced pellets then these pellets was put under the high temperature make these pellets raw materials .

In last these raw materials was settled and then make different products from these material i.e shirts ,pencil ,bottles etc and then agin people throw tese in trashbins.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a recycling process and give a basic overview of its circular nature, from putting bottles in a bin to making new products. The main stages are mostly represented, including collection, sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pellet production and heating. However, some details are unclear or incomplete: the sorting stage’s rejection of unsuitable bottles is not explained, and the raw material stage is only briefly described. The opening also says bottles are “gathered from households and markets,” which is not specified in the diagram. The response is 10 words below the required minimum, limiting the detail you can provide. To strengthen the report, describe the stages more precisely and ensure the overview captures the full loop.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable sequence, and the paragraph beginning “Following this” helps move the reader through the later stages. The overall progression from disposal to new products is also appropriate for a process diagram. However, the stages are compressed into long, loosely connected sentences, and the paragraphing does not clearly separate the overview from the detailed account. Linking phrases such as “To initiate” and “In last” are used awkwardly, while the repeated “and then” makes the sequence feel mechanical. Some references, such as “they” and “these,” are not always immediately clear. Use a separate overview paragraph, then group the stages into clear phases and connect them with accurate sequence markers.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “recycling centre,” “compressed,” “crushing machine,” “pellets,” and “raw materials,” so the reader can identify many of the stages. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate, sometimes making the meaning difficult to follow. For example, “the processed exemplify the cycle” does not clearly express the overview, and “jagged pieces” is not an appropriate description of the plastic after crushing. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “culiminate,” “thi,” “agin,” and “tese.” Aim for precise process terms and check spelling; avoid repeating general words such as “make” and “then.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt to describe a sequence using both simple clauses and longer sentences, but control of sentence structure and verb forms is inconsistent. For example, “the process … and transformed into new products” lacks a parallel verb structure, while “the process … is begin” and “these pellets was put” contain incorrect verb forms and agreement. Several clauses are also incomplete or awkwardly joined, as in “To initiate with throwing plastics in recycled can.” Articles and prepositions are often missing or incorrectly used, and punctuation spacing is inconsistent. These recurring errors sometimes make the process hard to understand. Practise accurate passive forms for processes, such as “the bottles are sorted” and “the pellets are heated,” and build complete sentences around each stage.

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.