Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-29

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)

here I would like to explain explain the total proces of recycling a plastic bottles . This whole process is given below .

At first we have collect unused plastic bottles from bin . Then let the bottles be brought to recycling store through a bus , van , truck or any other source of transportation . Then , in recycling center , we have to sort this bottles according to their condition and select which can be recycled. After that compress the bottles into a block and then crushing these plastic bottles through a machine. Then let the plastic bottles be washed to reduce dirties and after washing produce plastic pellets properly through machine. After that we have to add heat to plastic pellets to generate raw material . From this raw material we can make different types of plastic products like bolltes, tiffin boxes, bag, pencil etc .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You describe the main sequence from collecting bottles through sorting, compressing, crushing, washing and making pellets, and you identify the production of new items at the end. However, the response only partially covers the diagram: it does not explain that unsuitable bottles are rejected during sorting, that the pellets are heated to form raw material, or that the process loops back when new products are recycled. The opening does not provide a clear overview of the complete cycle, and several details are vague or unsupported, such as saying bottles may be transported by “a bus, van, truck or any other source.” To strengthen the report, give a concise overview of the circular process and accurately describe the key stages and its return to the beginning.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The stages are presented in a generally understandable order, and sequencing phrases such as “At first,” “Then,” and “After that” help the reader follow the process. However, the response is written as one continuous paragraph, so the overview and process details are not clearly separated. The repeated use of “Then” and “After that” also makes the progression mechanical, while “After that compress” and “Then let the plastic bottles be washed” create awkward links between steps. Organise the response into an opening overview and a body describing the stages, and vary the linking language while making each transition precise. This would give the report clearer progression and more effective cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “sort,” “compress,” “crushing,” “plastic pellets,” and “raw material,” which allows the reader to understand the general subject. However, the range is limited and some word choices or forms are inaccurate: “recycling store” is less precise than “recycling centre,” “reduce dirties” is unclear, and “bolltes” is misspelled. The repeated use of “plastic bottles” and “make” also limits variety. Choose accurate terms for the diagram’s stages, such as “wash away dirt” and “manufacture end products,” and use suitable alternatives such as “containers” or “items” where the meaning remains clear. More precise collocations would make the process easier to follow.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response uses a sequence of simple clauses and some longer sentences joined with “then” and “after,” but the range of sentence structures is limited. Frequent errors in articles, agreement and verb forms affect accuracy, as in “a plastic bottles,” “we have collect,” and “sort this bottles.” The instruction-like constructions “After that compress the bottles” and “Then let the plastic bottles be washed” are also faulty in this report; describe the stages directly, for example, “The bottles are then compressed” and “They are washed.” Punctuation and spacing around commas and full stops are inconsistent. Practise accurate passive forms and article/plural agreement, which are especially useful when describing a process.

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