Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-22

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 given picture illustrates the stage in recycling of plastic. A picture show the to make it clear that plastic is recycled and and rest of material.

In the first step , the man is put the plastic in dustbin . Then plastic bottles are transported by truck . In the next step , these bottles are sent to the recycling center . there these bottles are collected there quality , and then bottles are compressing into blocks , where the bottles are crushing in mashin. In the next step , the crushing bottles are washing in to water, and next the bottles are put the producing plastic pellets , then heating pellets reduesing to raw material , and then raw material process to producing new products like a bottle , bag and clothe .

overall, it can be seen that the recycling of plastic is a long process involving many step.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main subject and describe several central stages, including collection, sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pellet production and the creation of new products. The examples of a bottle, bag and clothing are also consistent with the diagram. However, the account is only partial: the overview says merely that it is a “long process,” rather than highlighting the important feature that the stages form a cycle, with end products returning to the recycling bin. Some stages are unclear or inaccurately expressed, such as “there these bottles are collected there quality,” and the raw-material stage is not clearly explained. To strengthen the response, give a concise overview of the cycle and report each stage accurately and in sequence.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows the general order of the process, and sequencing phrases such as “In the first step,” “Then,” and “In the next step” help the reader follow the stages. However, the organisation is limited: most of the description is packed into one long paragraph, followed by a brief overview, and the repeated use of “then” and “next” makes the progression mechanical. Some links between stages are difficult to follow, particularly the sentence beginning “there these bottles are collected there quality.” Use separate paragraphs for the overview and process details, and connect stages with clearer references to what happens to the bottles at each point. This would make the sequence easier to understand without relying so heavily on repeated transition words.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “transported,” “compressing into blocks,” “plastic pellets,” and “raw material,” so the reader can recognise the topic and many stages. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms make the description unclear, such as “collected there quality,” “reduesing,” and “put the producing plastic pellets.” “Dustbin” is also less precise here than “recycling bin.” Aim to use accurate process verbs and natural combinations, for example, bottles are “sorted,” “crushed,” and “washed,” before being “processed into pellets.” Check spelling and choose terms that describe the diagram directly. More precise vocabulary would help communicate the stages without changing the basic meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt to describe a sequence using both short statements and linked clauses, but control of sentence structure and verb forms is inconsistent. Examples include “A picture show,” “the man is put,” and “the bottles are compressing,” where subject–verb agreement or the verb form is incorrect. Passive forms are especially important for this process, but they are often faulty: write “the bottles are compressed” and “the crushed bottles are washed.” Articles and sentence boundaries also need attention, as in “sent to the recycling center . there.” These errors sometimes make relationships between stages difficult to understand. Practise forming clear passive sentences in the present simple, and check agreement, punctuation and complete sentence structure when editing.

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