Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-28

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 given diagram shows the process for recycling plastic bottles.

Overall, it is clear that the recycling of plastic bottles is a multi-stage process comprising nine distinct steps. The procedure begins with the collection of waste plastic and culminates in the manufacturing of various useful end products.

Firstly, the row materials collect from the garbage. By the help of truck go for the recycling for sorting. In the process of sorting usable products are installing and the non-usable products are not accepted while, the both product are collected to the indivisually.

Secondly, the next step is compression in to the blocks. In addition, go for the crushing and washing. After proper washing producing plastic pellets. Heating pellets to from row material. Set up the proper way and the last step is producing and production.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the process as having nine stages and give a relevant overview: it starts with collecting waste plastic and ends with useful products. You also mention sorting, compression, crushing, washing, pellets and heating, so the main sequence is partly represented. However, the account is incomplete and some details are unclear or inaccurate: the diagram shows bottles sorted into accepted and rejected groups, but “both product are collected to the indivisually” does not explain this clearly, and the final products are not named. The description also stops short of explaining how the end products return to the recycling bin. The response is below the required 150 words, which limits the detail you can provide. Develop the stages and describe the closed loop more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure, with an introduction, an overview and two paragraphs describing stages. “Firstly” and “Secondly” help signal sequence, and the stages are generally presented in the right order. However, progression becomes difficult to follow in phrases such as “Set up the proper way and the last step is producing and production,” which does not clearly connect the raw material stage to the end products. Some links are also mechanical or imprecise, including “In addition, go for the crushing and washing.” Use complete sentences and clearer transitions that show what happens to the plastic at each point. A final sentence explaining the loop back to collection would give the report a more complete and logical ending.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use several relevant process terms, including “sorting,” “compression,” “crushing,” “washing” and “plastic pellets,” which help communicate the topic. There is also an attempt to vary wording with “culminates” and “manufacturing.” However, word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or unclear: “row materials” appears to mean raw material, “usable products are installing” does not describe sorting, and “go for the recycling” is not a natural expression. “Producing and production” is repetitive and does not identify the end products. Choose precise verbs for each stage, such as “are sorted,” “are compressed” and “are heated,” and use the diagram’s specific product examples to make the description clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple sentences and longer constructions, and the overview sentence beginning “Overall, it is clear that…” is a clear, controlled example. However, many sentences contain frequent errors that make the process difficult to understand. For example, “the row materials collect from the garbage” has an incorrect verb form, while “By the help of truck go for the recycling for sorting” lacks a clear subject and finite verb. There are also problems with agreement and sentence construction in “both product are collected.” Use a consistent present simple passive for the stages, such as “The bottles are collected by a truck and taken to a recycling centre.” Check articles, plurals and verb forms, and make sure each sentence has a clear subject and verb.

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