Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-13

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)

Pie diagram illustrate about the processing of reusing of plastic bottles.

Overall, the empty bottles which we use in our daily routien is reusable. Some companies reuse it for making differnt products from the process of crushing the bottles and than wash them, after malting of these raw material it is able to use for making new product.

In first step people's throw the empty and unused bottles in to garbage basket. From there companies collect the bottles and load them into trucks and deliver it into recycling centre. In next step a heavy machine compress it into a block and crush it.

The Crushed material sent for washing, then a machine converted it into plastic pellets. After it, plastic pellets heated and convertes into raw material than the raw material is use to make deffirent product like pastic bags, plastic pencils, clothes etc which we use in our daily life

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main stages from disposal and collection through sorting, compression, crushing, washing, pellet production and heating into raw material, and you give an overview that recognises the material is reused to make products. However, the account is only partly complete: the sorting stage and its separation of suitable bottles from rejected ones are omitted, and the final products are not fully represented. The diagram also shows a closed loop, with end products leading back to the recycling bin, but this important feature is not mentioned. Some details are inaccurate or unclear, such as saying “people's throw” bottles into a “garbage basket” and suggesting companies collect them. A more precise overview and fuller coverage of the loop would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall sequence, supported by markers such as “In first step,” “In next step” and “After it,” so the reader can follow much of the process. The paragraph break also separates the overview from the stage-by-stage account. However, progression is not consistently clear: sorting is skipped, and the transition from crushing to washing and then pellet production is compressed into short, loosely connected statements. The overview repeats information that appears later rather than highlighting the process’s complete cycle. Some references, including “it” and “these raw material,” are not always clear. Organising the stages into a more complete sequence and using clearer links between them would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “compress,” “crush,” “plastic pellets” and “raw material,” which helps communicate the general stages. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or informal for a process description. “Pie diagram” misidentifies the visual, while “garbage basket” and “companies reuse it” do not describe the stages precisely. There are also noticeable spelling and word-form errors, such as “routien,” “differnt,” “malting,” “convertes” and “deffirent,” which reduce clarity and control. Aim for accurate process terms and check spelling carefully; for example, use “recycling bin,” “melted” and “manufacture” where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple sentences and longer sequences, for example, “The crushed material sent for washing, then a machine converted it into plastic pellets.” However, the longer constructions are often faulty, and frequent errors in verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence structure sometimes make the process difficult to follow. Examples include “Pie diagram illustrate,” “people's throw,” “a machine converted it,” and “the raw material is use.” Several clauses are joined without clear grammatical links, as in the final sentence, and punctuation and capitalisation are inconsistent. Practise forming complete passive sentences for process stages, such as “The crushed material is sent for washing,” and check subject–verb agreement and tense consistency throughout.

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