Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-12

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)

As we can see the following diagram have showed us the how recycling of plastic bottles usually takes place, we can see that people often throw the plastic bottles into the bin and then then dumpster takes up all the trash and then empties the bin and then the dumpster goes to the official recyling centres where all of the trash would be sorted out and all of plastic would be removed from other sort of trashes, then onward we can see the the diagram showing us how those sorted out plastics are compressed into blocks and then they are sent into the machines which would absouletly crush those plastic block turning all of those into micro plastics and then after washing it it would be sent to produce plastic pellets and after that procedure the pallets would be heated so it could be formed itno raw materials and after it has been produced into raw materials those same raw materials would be sold out to the companies who would later creat products from those raw materials.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main stages from disposal and collection through sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pellet production and heating into raw material. This gives the reader a broadly accurate account of the process. However, the response is only a partial summary: it does not clearly state the overall feature that this is a closed cycle, and it stops at companies making products rather than explaining that end products lead back to the start. Some details are also imprecise: the diagram shows a collection truck, not a “dumpster,” and sorting separates suitable bottles from rejected items rather than removing plastic from other kinds of rubbish. To strengthen the response, include a concise overview and describe the final products and return arrow accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The stages are generally presented in the correct order, and words such as “then,” “after that” and “after” help show sequence. However, nearly the entire response is one long sentence, so the progression is difficult to follow and the links become repetitive and mechanical. The repeated “and then” and “we can see” do not clearly distinguish the main phases, while the final clause about companies making products is not connected back to the cycle’s beginning. Divide the account into clear sections—for example, collection and sorting, then processing and reuse—and use a small range of precise sequencing expressions. This would make the organisation easier to follow without adding unnecessary linking phrases.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “sorted,” “compressed,” “crush,” “washing,” “plastic pellets” and “raw materials,” so the reader can recognise the main operations. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or awkward for this diagram. “Dumpster” does not describe the collection truck, “micro plastics” is not the best term for the crushed pieces, and “pallets” is confused with “pellets.” There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “recyling,” “absouletly,” “itno” and “creat,” which reduce clarity. Aim for precise process terms and avoid conversational repetition such as “we can see”; this will make the description more suitable for an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to connect several stages using subordinate clauses and time expressions, but the sentence structures are often faulty and the long sentence is difficult to control. For example, “the following diagram have showed us the how” contains problems with agreement and sentence construction, while “after washing it it would be sent” has unclear reference and awkward clause structure. The repeated use of “would” also makes the process sound hypothetical, although the diagram presents a general sequence. Punctuation is insufficient to separate the stages, and there are few clearly controlled sentence patterns. Use present simple for the process and write shorter sentences, checking subject–verb agreement, articles and clause boundaries.

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.