Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-27

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 below illustrates the process of recycling plastic bottles.

Overall the process consist of several stages to begin with step one putting a plastic bottle in a recyclebin ending with reached the final step nine that consist of final products.

Initially, we placed a plastic bottles in a recycle bin thereafter a wastage truck or a machine comes to pickup thereafter they reached to the recycling center for sorting where it can be filter. Furthermore in step four all sorted bottles compressing into a block. Afterthat the move towards the next crushing and washing step.

Then after washing it moves toward the next step it is called producing plastic pallets step then in a seventh step plastic pallets heated in a certain temperature to form a raw material then in eight step least but not last raw material formed. Ultimately in last step product formed like clothes, plastic bottles, boxes etc etc.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You cover the main direction of the process, from placing bottles in a recycling bin through sorting, compressing, crushing, washing and producing raw material, and you mention examples of end products. However, the overview is unclear and does not explain the key feature that this is a closed loop, with end products returning to the start. Some details are inaccurate or vague: the diagram shows a collection truck, not a “wastage truck or a machine,” and sorting separates suitable bottles from rejected items rather than simply filtering them. The final products could be reported more precisely, such as containers, clothing and carrier bags. To strengthen the response, give a clear overview and describe each stage accurately, including the return arrow.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic chronological structure, and the paragraph break before the later stages helps distinguish parts of the process. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “Furthermore,” and “Ultimately” also show an attempt to guide the reader. However, progression is not consistently clear: “thereafter” is repeated, and several stages are joined in long, loosely connected sentences. The overview is difficult to follow, particularly “ending with reached the final step nine.” Some references, such as “it” and “they,” do not clearly identify whether they refer to bottles, pellets or products. Organise the description into a concise overview followed by clearly grouped stages, and use precise links between each step.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “recycling center,” “sorting,” “compressing,” “crushing,” “washing,” and “raw material,” so the reader can identify much of the sequence. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the process harder to understand. For example, “wastage truck” is not an appropriate name for the collection vehicle, “filter” does not accurately describe sorting, and “plastic pallets” appears to mean plastic pellets. “Etc etc” is informal and imprecise for an academic report. Choose specific nouns and verbs from the diagram, and avoid repeating general terms such as “step” and “product.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the sequence can generally be understood. However, errors are frequent, and some sentences are difficult to interpret. Examples include “the process consist,” “ending with reached,” and “all sorted bottles compressing into a block,” where agreement, verb forms and sentence construction are not controlled. Articles and plurals are also inconsistent, as in “a plastic bottles,” while “in a seventh step” and “in eight step” show problems with article use. Several clauses are joined without clear grammatical structure. Practise writing complete sentences with a consistent present simple passive, such as “The bottles are sorted and then compressed,” and check agreement, articles and verb forms.

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