Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The given diagram illustrates the recycling process of plastic bottles. The process is cyclic and consists of several stages which produce raw materials for many daily essentials.Overall, the recycling process is complicated as it requires the lot of processing untill a raw material is otained.

The procedure starts by collecting plasting bottles from recycling bins. This procedure is done manually by hand. These bottles are collected by large recycling dumper which then transports them to a recycling centre. In recycling centre the bottles are closely exaimined by an examiner which then sorts out the bottles that can be recycled, following that comes the compressing and crushing stage.

The bottles that can be recycled are then compressed into small blocks. These blocks then undergoes crushing stage. This converts them into small plastic particles. this process is followed by a washing stage which cleans those plastic particles. After that comes an important process which is used to produce plastic pellets. These pellets are then heated to form a raw material.

After the formation of raw material is complete, this raw material is used for producing various products like plastic pencils, plastic bags, lunch boxes, plastic bottles and some clothes too. These things are then again used by us which keeps the cycle running.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main stages from collection through sorting, compression, crushing, washing and pellet production to the creation of new products. The overview also correctly identifies the process as cyclic and notes that it produces raw material for everyday items. This gives the response a clear account of the diagram, with most details accurately represented. To make the summary more complete and precise, explain that sorting separates recyclable bottles from rejected ones, and describe the final return arrow more explicitly: the end products are recycled again when discarded. The overview’s claim that the process is “complicated” is evaluative rather than a key feature; a stronger overview would emphasise the sequence and the closed-loop nature of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised into a clear introduction and overview followed by paragraphs that move through the process in sequence. Linking expressions such as “After that,” “These pellets are then,” and “After the formation of raw material” help the reader follow the stages, and the final sentence connects the products back to the cycle. Some transitions are less smooth: “following that comes the compressing and crushing stage” previews steps that are explained in the next paragraph, creating slight repetition. The overview is also placed directly after the introduction without a clear separation in meaning. For stronger progression, keep the overview focused on the whole process, then describe each stage once in order, using clear references to the bottles, blocks, pellets and products.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use a reasonable range of process vocabulary, including “transports,” “compressed,” “crushing,” “particles,” “pellets” and “raw material,” which makes the stages understandable. However, several inaccurate or awkward choices limit precision: “recycling dumper” is not the natural term for the collection vehicle, “examiner” is unsuitable for the person sorting bottles, and “daily essentials” is broader than the products shown. There are also spelling errors such as “plasting,” “exaimined,” “untill” and “otained.” Aim for accurate, natural terms rather than adding unnecessary description, and proofread carefully. More precise vocabulary would help you describe the diagram’s categories and outputs without changing their meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including relative clauses such as “which then transports them” and time clauses such as “After the formation of raw material is complete.” Most meanings remain clear, but some grammatical errors recur. For example, “the lot of processing” needs an article or a different construction, “These blocks then undergoes” has subject–verb disagreement, and “this process” begins a sentence without a capital letter. Articles and plural forms also need attention in phrases such as “In recycling centre” and “a raw material.” Practise checking agreement, articles and sentence boundaries, while retaining your varied sentence structures; more consistent control would make the process description easier to read.

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