Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-15

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)

The process of recycling of plastic bottles is given in 9 steps. In step 1st, the plastic bottles are collected in bins. In 2nd step, these collected bottles in bins are transfered to the recycling centre. In 3rd step, these bottles are distributed sizewise or maybe these are out from other materials. In 4th step, the bottles are compressed in to big size blocks. In 5th step, these blocks are poured to the crusher machine for crushing and then these arushed particles are washed properly for further process. In 6th step, washed particles are then poured to pellets machine where the plastic pellets made. In 7th step, these pellets are heated to form raw material. In 9th step, the raw materials are then go the different industries for further processing according to requirements then the recycled plastic materials are manufactured. After using we then bin it and the cycle recycled.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the process as a sequence and describe several central stages, including sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pellet production and heating. However, coverage is incomplete and some details are inaccurate or unclear: sorting is described as bottles being “distributed sizewise,” while the diagram shows acceptable bottles separated from rejected items. The collection stage is also simplified, and you omit the distinct raw-material stage before end products. The account jumps from step 7 to step 9, and the final description of industries and manufacturing is not shown in the diagram. There is no clear overview of the closed-loop process. To strengthen the response, summarise the overall cycle first, then report each stage accurately, including the return from end products to the recycling bin.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The numbered sequence gives the reader a basic sense of order, and linking phrases such as “In 2nd step” and “then” help connect some stages. However, the response is presented as one continuous paragraph, and its progression becomes difficult to follow when it skips step 8 and moves from raw materials to industries and then back to binning. Repeated use of “these” and “then” also makes the links mechanical, while the final phrase “the cycle recycled” does not clearly explain the loop. Organise the report into an introduction and overview followed by a clearly ordered process description. Use precise transitions such as “After sorting,” “Once washed,” and “Finally, the products are returned for recycling.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “compressed,” “crusher machine,” “pellets,” and “raw material,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or awkward, which sometimes makes the meaning unclear. “Distributed sizewise” does not accurately describe sorting into accepted and rejected bottles, and “poured to pellets machine” is an unsuitable collocation. There are also spelling errors such as “transfered” and “arushed.” Aim for precise process terms and check spelling and word forms. For example, describe bottles as being “sorted,” plastic as being “fed into a pellet-making machine,” and the final goods as “end products.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to connect stages in longer sentences, for example, “these blocks are poured to the crusher machine for crushing and then…” However, sentence structures are limited and errors recur in verb forms, agreement, articles and prepositions, sometimes making relationships between stages hard to understand. Examples include “the plastic pellets made,” “the raw materials are then go,” and “we then bin it and the cycle recycled.” The opening phrase “The process of recycling of plastic bottles” also shows difficulty controlling noun phrases. Practise accurate passive forms for processes, such as “the pellets are produced” and “the material is heated,” and use complete, clearly punctuated sentences. A wider range of correctly controlled sentence patterns would make the sequence easier to follow.

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