Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 how plastic bottles are recycled.

Overall, the process consist of nine stages, beginning with collecting plastic bottles and ending with producing new product. while the initial stages involve collecting plastic bottles and separate the recyclable one, the remaining steps focus on changing the materials and build a new one.

Initially, people throw their plastic bottles into trash before being collected by truck. in the next step the plastic bottles being sorted. once sorted, the plastic bottles are compressed in blocks in order to be crush and be wash in water.

In the following stages, the plastic bottles turn into plastic pellets. it is then heated in order to form the raw material. After that, the raw material has been completely made. Finally, the plastic bottles turned into new and useable products.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as having nine stages and describe its broad progression from bottle collection to new products. However, some important details are missing or unclear: the sorting stage separates acceptable bottles from rejected items, and the diagram shows several specific end products. The overview also says the process ends with new products, but it is a closed loop, with an arrow returning from end-product production to the recycling bin. Some descriptions are inaccurate or incomplete, such as saying bottles are thrown into “trash” rather than a recycling bin, and “After that, the raw material has been completely made” does not clearly report the stage. The response is also below the required 150 words. Add accurate detail about the loop and later stages, and explain the sorting outcome more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by stages in sequence, with paragraph breaks separating the main parts. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “In the next step,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. This gives the account coherent progression. To make the organisation more effective, connect the stages with more precise references and avoid abrupt or unclear transitions. For example, “After that, the raw material has been completely made” does not clearly show how this stage relates to the previous one or what follows. The overview could also signal the circular nature of the process, helping the reader understand the relationship between the final products and the starting point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “compressed,” “plastic pellets,” “heated,” and “raw material,” so the main stages are generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and some word choices are inaccurate or unnatural. “Trash” misidentifies the recycling bin, while “new product” and “new and useable products” are vague; the diagram shows a range of end products. Phrases such as “the recyclable one” and “build a new one” are also imprecise for describing materials and manufacturing. Aim for more exact process language and vary repeated references to “plastic bottles.” For example, use “recyclable bottles,” “plastic material,” and “manufacture a range of products” where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt some complex structures, including the contrast in “while the initial stages involve…” and the purpose clause “in order to form the raw material.” However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make the process difficult to follow. Examples include “the process consist” instead of “consists,” “the plastic bottles being sorted” instead of a complete passive clause, and “in order to be crush and be wash” instead of “to be crushed and washed.” Tense and voice are also inconsistent in “the raw material has been completely made” and “the plastic bottles turned into new…products.” Capitalisation after full stops is inconsistent, as in “while” and “in the next step.” Practise accurate passive forms and maintain consistent present-tense descriptions.

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