Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-19

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 process diagram presents the steps for recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, It is clear that first step is gathered plastic item and at the end produced various product. While sorting,compressing into blocks, crushing, and make raw material are an important steps for the recycling process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The opening identifies the subject as a recycling process, and the response attempts to give an overall summary by mentioning the beginning, end, and some middle stages. However, it does not adequately summarise the diagram: most of the sequence is omitted, including collection by truck, sorting, washing, pellet production, and the return loop from end products to the recycling bin. The phrase “first step is gathered plastic item” is also unclear about what happens. The overview is too general to convey the main features, and there are no details explaining how the stages connect. The response is substantially below the required 150 words, leaving the task only minimally addressed. Describe the full cycle in order and include the key transformation stages.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic overall structure: an introductory sentence is followed by an overview, and the ideas are broadly related to the diagram. The sequence from “first step” to “at the end” gives the reader a simple sense of progression. However, the response is so brief that it does not develop a clear, step-by-step account, and the relationship between the listed stages is not explained. The transition “While sorting…” introduces a list rather than showing how sorting leads to compression, crushing, and the production of raw material. To improve progression, organise the process into connected stages and use clear sequencing expressions such as “next,” “after washing,” and “finally.”

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses some relevant process vocabulary, including “recycling,” “sorting,” “compressing,” “crushing,” and “raw material,” so the topic is recognisable. However, the range is narrow and several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “gathered plastic item” and “make raw material.” The response also refers to “various product” without naming any examples shown in the diagram, such as containers, clothing, or bags. More precise process language would help communicate the stages and outputs clearly. Practise using accurate collocations such as “bottles are collected,” “plastic is washed and made into pellets,” and “the material is used to manufacture new products.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response communicates a basic idea using simple sentences and an attempted contrast between the beginning and end of the process. However, grammatical control is uneven. In “Overall, It is clear that first step is gathered plastic item,” the capitalisation after the comma is incorrect, and the sentence is missing articles and a clear grammatical subject for the passive process. “At the end produced various product” also lacks a subject and auxiliary verb, while “are an important steps” has an agreement error. The sentence structures are limited, with little accurate use of passive forms that are useful for describing a process. Build complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check articles, agreement, and punctuation.

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