Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The provided diagram illustrates the multi-stage process of recycling plastic bottles, beginning with collecting the trash and culminating in producing end products.

Overall, the process is linear and involves a series of mechanical and chemical treatments, transitioning from raw materials through various processing stages to the final output.

Looking at the first part of process, the procedure commences with collecting trash, following the initial stage, the material is then loaded onto a truck and transported to a recycling centre for sorting. Subsequently, the sorted material is compressed into blocks.

Turning to the final stages, the semi-processed material is crushed and washed. Once this is completed the washed material sent to produce plastic pellets and then heated. To form raw material,Finally, this raw material is used to manufacture various items, such as plastic bottles, containers, shirts, and pencils.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process and describe many of its main stages, including collection, transport, sorting, compression, crushing, washing, pellet production, heating and the manufacture of several end products. The examples of bottles, containers, shirts and pencils are grounded in the diagram. However, the overview says the process is “linear,” whereas the diagram shows a closed loop, with end products leading back to the recycling bin. This is a significant misreading of the process’s overall structure. Some details are also unclear: “collecting the trash” does not specify that people place plastic bottles in a recycling bin, and the two-way sorting outcome is omitted. The response is also 13 words below the required minimum. A more accurate overview and fuller coverage of the loop and sorting would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by paragraphs covering the earlier and later stages. Sequencing expressions such as “Subsequently,” “Once this is completed” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process, and the progression is generally easy to understand. This is a solid organisational foundation. However, the overview’s claim that the process is linear conflicts with the actual cycle, weakening the logical account. Some links between stages are also compressed, particularly the transition from washing to pellet production and then heating. The phrase “Looking at the first part of process” is awkwardly formed, and the final sentence has a punctuation and spacing problem around “raw material,Finally”. Clarifying the cycle and smoothing these transitions would make cohesion more controlled.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “transported,” “sorted,” “compressed,” “crushed,” “washed” and “manufacture.” These choices communicate the main actions and show some flexibility beyond basic repetition. “Semi-processed material” is also an attempt to describe material between stages. At times, however, wording is imprecise or not well matched to the diagram: “collecting the trash” is less specific than referring to plastic bottles being placed in a recycling bin, and “shirts” is less precise than “T-shirts.” “Chemical treatments” is not supported by the diagram, which depicts mechanical processing and heating. Aim for accurate process collocations and avoid adding technical descriptions that the visual does not establish.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of sentence forms, including a complex opening with “beginning with … and culminating in …” and a time clause beginning “Once this is completed.” Most of the sequence remains understandable, but some errors affect accuracy and control. In “Looking at the first part of process,” the article is missing; “the washed material sent to produce” lacks a finite verb and has an unclear construction; and “To form raw material,Finally” has faulty punctuation and sentence boundaries. The sentence beginning “Looking at…” also joins clauses with a comma rather than a suitable conjunction or full stop. Check articles, ensure each clause has a complete verb, and proofread punctuation, especially where one stage leads into the next.

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