Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-25

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 process for recycling plastic bottles.firstly you through plastic bottles into the baskit. where the container store the plastic bottles into the baskit.the container reach the plastic bottle in the recycling store. then the recycling center sorting the bottle.the bottle whose capable to recycle the recycle center sorting the bottle.then the compreser are compresing the bottle in the shape of block.then the block through in the crushing machine.the crush machine crushing the bottle and through into the water tank.where the crushing pieces washed. now the pieces through into the producting plastics pellets where the pieces of bottle are crushed and devided into the little piece of plastic.then the plastic pieces are heated and heating pellets to form or raw material and packing the raw material.then they making many things such that new bottles,lunch boxes,pencils,shirts,and recycling bags.and using the all things through it into the recycle basket.and contain the again remain process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You cover the main stages from putting bottles in a bin through collection, sorting, processing and making new products, and you recognise that the products return to the recycling process. However, the account is only partly clear and does not give a concise overview of the process as a whole. Some details are inaccurate or confused: the sorting stage separates recyclable bottles from rejected items, rather than sorting only bottles “capable to recycle”; and the crushing and washing stages are described unclearly. The diagram also shows pellets being heated to create raw material before it is made into end products, but this sequence is not clearly distinguished in your account. A clearer overview and more precise reporting of the stages would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response follows a broadly chronological order, which helps the reader identify the intended process, and words such as “then” and “now” signal movement between stages. However, the writing is presented as one continuous sequence, with no clear overview or paragraphing to separate the main phases. Linking words are repetitive, and several transitions are difficult to follow, for example “where the container store the plastic bottles into the baskit” and “and contain the again remain process.” References such as “the bottle” and “the pieces” are sometimes unclear because the reader cannot tell which stage or material is meant. Group the stages into a clear beginning, processing sequence and outcome, and use more precise links and references.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-related vocabulary, including “recycling center,” “crushing machine,” “raw material,” “pellets” and “lunch boxes,” so the reader can recognise the topic and several stages. However, the range is limited and some words or phrases are repeatedly used without precision. Expressions such as “producting plastics pellets,” “through into the crushing machine” and “recycling bags” are inaccurate or unnatural, while spelling errors such as “baskit” and “compreser” make the account less clear. Aim to use the diagram’s process terms accurately and choose natural collocations for each action. For example, bottles are collected, compressed into blocks, crushed, washed and processed into pellets.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to describe a sequence using simple clauses and some longer sentences, but grammatical control is weak and errors occur frequently. Verb forms and agreement are often incorrect, as in “the recycling center sorting the bottle” and “the compreser are compresing”; these should use a consistent present simple form, such as “the centre sorts” and “the bottles are compressed.” Sentence boundaries and punctuation are also problematic: several stages are joined with full stops after incomplete clauses beginning “where,” while other ideas run together with “and.” Articles, plurals and prepositions are inconsistent as well. Practise writing complete, controlled sentences in the present simple or passive voice, using one clear sentence for each stage.

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