Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-24

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 6.5)

The diagram illustrates the method for recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, the process of recycling bottles is a cyclic proess that consist of four stages, storing, crushing, pelletizing, producing and reuse.

Initially, used bottles are taken from bins and transprted by trucks. Then in the recycling center the bottles are sorted manually into tow differents categories. The good bottles are compressed into blockes. Subsequently, these blocks are crushed mechanically. The blocks are converted to small sized particles.

Following this, these crushed particles are washed in water to remove the dirt and extra materials. Then directly after washing these paricles they are pettetized mechanically to produce plastic pellets.The pellets are heated to remove the moisture and to form the raw material. These pellets are transformed into raw materials. Finally, the raw materials are used to produced different types of products such as, pens, bottles, reusable shipping bags and t-shirts. After these products are used, they go through the recycling process all over again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main stages and provide a clear overview that the process is cyclical, ending with products returning to recycling. The sequence from collection and sorting through compression, crushing, washing, pellet production and manufacture is generally accurate. You also include examples of end products. However, the overview says there are “four stages” but then lists five activities, and “storing” is not a stage shown in the diagram. Some details are also unclear or inaccurate: sorting is not explicitly described as manual, and heating is said to remove moisture, whereas the diagram shows it forming raw material. The response therefore addresses the task well overall, but some features need more precise reporting to show the full accuracy and development expected at the next level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised in a clear sequence, with an introduction, an overview and a chronological account of the process. Linking expressions such as “Initially,” “Subsequently,” “Following this” and “Finally” help the reader follow the stages, and the final sentence effectively closes the cycle. Paragraphing is also appropriate. Some connections between stages could be made more precise: “Then directly after washing” is awkward, and the relationship between pellets being heated and then becoming raw material is repeated in consecutive sentences. The overview’s list of stages also conflicts with its stated number, which slightly disrupts the overall logic. More concise linking and clearer references to each material as it changes form would make the progression even smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “compressed,” “crushed,” “particles,” “pellets” and “raw material,” and the reader can generally understand the stages. There are also useful alternatives such as “transported” and “converted.” However, several spelling errors reduce accuracy, including “proess,” “transprted,” “tow,” “blockes,” “paricles” and “pettetized.” Some word choices are imprecise or repetitive: “storing” does not describe a stage in the diagram, “blocks” is repeated where “compressed plastic” or “material” could vary the wording, and “reusable shipping bags” is not the product shown. Aim for accurate spelling and more exact process terms; this would strengthen the adequate range already demonstrated.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and more complex forms, including the passive constructions “are compressed” and “are washed,” which suit a process description. Most stages remain understandable despite some grammatical errors. These include subject–verb agreement in “the process … consist,” the incorrect infinitive pattern in “used to produced,” and the article and number problems in “into blockes” and “different types of products such as, pens.” The overview sentence is also structurally confusing because it says “four stages” before listing five items. Some sentences are short and repetitive, so combining related steps with accurate clauses would show greater range. Check agreement, verb forms and articles carefully while retaining the useful passive voice.

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