Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-14

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 represents the recycling process of plastic bottles.

Overall, the recycling process has eight steps.

According to the diagram, it all start with throwing the used stuff into containers. After that, the containers are taken by a truck. The trash truck than tranfers the stuff to recycling centre and in the recycling centre, the sorting of useful bottles are taken out and other bottles are separated to another bin. In the fourth step, the selected bottles are compressed into squared blocks. After that, in the next step, the blocks are than crushed by the circular crushers and are then washed. Washing then leads to the production of plastic pellets in the sixth step and then the pellets are heated to make them a raw material form. After the raw is prepared, it is utilized to make stuff like clothes, bottles and stationary items. They are then being collected into large containers after being used and then the whole process continues.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You describe the main sequence from disposal and collection through sorting, processing and making new products, and you include an overview. However, the overview says there are “eight steps,” while the diagram shows nine numbered stages, and the account does not clearly identify the two outcomes of sorting: accepted bottles continue, whereas rejected items are removed. Some details are also inaccurate or unsupported: the diagram shows products being made, then the loop returning to bottle disposal, not used products being collected into large containers. To strengthen the response, give an accurate overview of the full cycle and distinguish the stages and outcomes precisely, especially the final return to the start.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The stages are generally presented in chronological order, and sequencing phrases such as “After that,” “In the fourth step,” and “in the next step” help the reader follow the process. The response also has a brief introduction and overview before the detailed account. However, most information is placed in one long paragraph, and repeated transitions make the progression somewhat mechanical. References such as “the stuff,” “the raw,” and “They” are not always clear, so the reader has to infer what each pronoun refers to. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and process details, and connect stages with more varied, precise links while naming the material or products when needed.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “compressed,” “crushed,” “washed,” “pellets,” and “raw material,” which helps convey the main operations. However, the range is limited by repeated informal terms such as “stuff” and “make stuff,” which are imprecise for an academic process description. There are also noticeable word-choice and spelling problems: “trash truck” is less suitable than “collection truck,” “squared blocks” is awkward, and “stationary items” should be “stationery items” if referring to writing materials. Aim for precise process terms and accurate collocations, such as “the bottles are sorted” and “the material is converted into new products.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple sentences and longer sequences linked with time clauses, for example, “After that, in the next step, the blocks are than crushed … and are then washed.” This shows an attempt to describe a multi-stage process, and the overall meaning is usually understandable. However, some errors recur in verb forms, agreement and sentence construction. “It all start” should be “it all starts,” and “the sorting of useful bottles are taken out” has faulty agreement and an unclear passive structure. The passive voice is useful for this task, but it needs more consistent control. Check subject–verb agreement and use clear forms such as “the bottles are sorted” and “the selected bottles are compressed.”

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