Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The diagram illustrates the process of how the plastic bottles is recycled. Overall, the recycle bottles is reused to make reusable products for daily life. There are nine steps which includes from disposal of bottles, sorting, chemical and products made from raw materials.

Initially, the plastic are disposed and is carried by a lorries. At the recycling centre all sorts of bottles are sorted, the bottle which can be used is put in the tick tin and other are put into unwanted tin. These botlles are compressed and is made into a square blocks, which is then crushed into a huge machine.

Once the plastic are crushed into tiny particals, they are then out into a huge liquid container for washing. After it is totally washed it is then transfered into a funnel shapped machine, where palastic pellets is produced. The pettlets are then heated to form a raw material in a higher temperture.

Finally, a huge roll of raw material are tied and is distrubuted in the market to from different type of products like recycle bottle, tins, pencils, bag and clothes. The cyle of making products is a recycle method.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main stages in sequence, from disposal and collection through sorting, compression, crushing, washing, pellet production and heating, and you identify the overall purpose as making products from recycled material. The examples of end products also reflect the diagram. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the diagram shows bottles sorted into accepted and rejected groups, not that all bottles are sorted and then processed; and the raw material is shown as bound blocks or sacks on a pallet, rather than a “huge roll” distributed to the market. The overview also calls the process “chemical,” although no chemical treatment is shown. A more precise overview and clearer distinction between sorting and subsequent processing would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by stages in chronological order, with “Initially,” “Once,” and “Finally” helping the reader follow the cycle. Paragraphing also separates the main parts of the process. This meets the expected level of coherent organisation. Some links and references are less controlled, however: “After it is totally washed” leaves the referent of “it” somewhat vague, and “The cyle of making products is a recycle method” repeats the idea without adding a clear concluding point. Improve cohesion by using precise references such as “the crushed plastic” and by making the final sentence summarise how the end products re-enter the cycle.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “compressed,” “crushed,” “washing,” “pellets,” and “raw material,” so the reader can understand the main stages. However, the range and control are limited by repeated or inaccurate wording. “Recycle bottles” and “reusable products” are not natural descriptions of the process, while “tick tin” and “unwanted tin” do not clearly name the accepted and rejected groups. There are also noticeable spelling errors, such as “botlles,” “particals,” “transfered,” and “temperture,” which reduce precision. Aim for accurate process terms and check spelling carefully; for example, describe bottles as “accepted for recycling” or “rejected,” and refer to the final items as “end products.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more developed sentences, including a time clause in “Once the plastic are crushed…” and a relative clause in “which is then crushed…”. The sequence remains understandable, but errors in agreement, articles, and verb forms occur across the response. Examples include “the plastic bottles is recycled,” “the recycle bottles is reused,” and “the plastic are disposed”; these subjects require consistent plural or singular agreement. In “a huge roll of raw material are tied,” the verb also does not agree with the subject. Several passive constructions are attempted but are not consistently formed. Practise building accurate passive sentences for each stage, and check subject–verb agreement and articles before adding longer clauses.

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