Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The diagram depicts the way used plastic bottles are recycled.

Overall, it is nine stages process which includes collection of used plastic bottles from bins to crushing into small pellets which are then used in the production of different goods.

In detail, human used bottles are picked from dustbines through a pickup truck which transport them to the recycling centre. At the centre, these bottles are categorised and those suitable for recycling are separated. These separated bottles are then compressed into blocks and further go through crushing machine which cut them into small pieces and are washed there.

The next stage involves production of pellets. For this purpose, these crushed pieces passed through another machine and become pellets. After that, these pellets are heated and formed in the shape of raw material. That raw material is then used for different purpose such a making of plastic bags, pencils, water botlles and shirts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You cover the main stages accurately, from putting bottles in a bin and collection by truck through sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pellet production and heating. The overview identifies the process as having nine stages and notes that the material is used to make different goods, addressing the key features of the diagram. You also correctly mention that only suitable bottles are separated for recycling. The account is clear and relevant, though the overview could make the closed-loop nature more explicit: end products feed back into the recycling-bin stage. Some details are generalised, such as saying the pellets are “formed in the shape of raw material”; describing the heating stage as producing raw material would be more precise. Overall, the main features are selected and reported effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised in a clear sequence: an introduction, an overview, and then a detailed account of the stages. The progression from collection to sorting and processing, followed by the production of goods, is easy to follow. Linking phrases such as “At the centre,” “The next stage,” and “After that” help guide the reader through the process. The paragraphing is appropriate, and references such as “these bottles” and “That raw material” generally make the connections clear. To make the organisation more complete, explicitly connect the final products back to the first stage, since the diagram shows a loop. Some transitions are also slightly repetitive; varying them or using more precise stage-to-stage links would make cohesion more flexible.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “categorised,” “compressed,” “crushing,” “pellets,” and “raw material,” which helps communicate the stages. However, some word choices and collocations are imprecise or informal for this report. “Dustbines” is not the appropriate term for the recycling bins shown, while “pickup truck” does not accurately describe the collection vehicle. There are also spelling errors in “botlles,” and phrases such as “different purpose” and “such a making” are not natural. These do not prevent understanding, but they limit precision and control. Aim to use the diagram’s terminology where possible and check spelling and collocations, especially in the final sentence describing the products.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and more complex structures, including a relative clause in “those suitable for recycling are separated” and a sequence of passive constructions appropriate for describing a process. The meaning remains clear, but some grammatical errors occur. For example, “it is nine stages process” needs an article and plural agreement, and “a pickup truck which transport them” has a subject–verb agreement error. In “these crushed pieces passed through another machine,” the passive verb form is missing; “are passed” would fit the process description. The final sentence also has errors in number and article use. Review articles, agreement, and passive forms, while retaining the clear chronological structure you have established.

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