Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-16

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 4.0)

The given diagram illustrates the process for recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, there are nine steps in total, all steps are essential. Firstly garrabbage is thrown into the bin, after that, is transported to the recycling centre for the process of sorting after t5hat is compressed =[[

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The opening identifies the topic, and the overview notes that the process has nine steps, which is a relevant feature. However, the response stops partway through the early stages: it mentions disposal, transport, sorting and compression but does not describe the later stages of crushing, washing, pellet production, heating, or the creation of new products. It also does not explain that the process forms a cycle. The statement that “all steps are essential” is not a useful summary of the diagram. The response is 46 words, below the required 150, so it is substantially incomplete. To improve, cover the full sequence and include a clear overview of how recycled material becomes products and returns to use.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: a short introduction is followed by an overview and then a description beginning with “Firstly.” The sequence from putting bottles in a bin to transport and sorting is broadly logical. However, the response ends abruptly at “after t5hat is compressed,” so there is no progression through the remaining stages or concluding sense of the complete cycle. Linking phrases such as “after that” are used, but the sentence becomes difficult to follow because several stages are joined together without clear punctuation. Use separate sentences or a well-controlled sequence of clauses, and organise the full process from collection through to the production of new items.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses a few relevant process terms, including “recycling centre,” “sorting,” and “compressed,” so the topic is recognisable. However, the vocabulary range is very limited because the description covers only the first few stages. There is also a conspicuous spelling error in “garrabbage,” and the phrase “thrown into the bin” is less precise than describing bottles being placed in a recycling bin. The unfinished wording “after t5hat” further weakens clarity. Build a wider set of accurate process verbs and nouns from the diagram, such as “collect,” “crush,” “wash,” “form pellets,” and “manufacture end products,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response shows some control of basic sentence forms, particularly in “The given diagram illustrates the process for recycling plastic bottles.” It also attempts to sequence events in a longer sentence. However, the sentence beginning “Firstly” is not grammatically complete or well controlled: “after that, is transported” lacks a clear subject, and the later clause beginning “after” is left unfinished. The final text, “after t5hat is compressed,” also contains an incomplete construction and unclear punctuation. Most of the response relies on simple statements, with little evidence of varied, accurate structures. Practise writing complete passive clauses, for example, “The bottles are then transported to a recycling centre, where they are sorted,” and use full stops to separate stages.

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