Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-10-31

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 6.5)

The process diagram illustrates information on how plastic bottles are recycled.

Overall, the process starts by collecting plastic bottles and than all bottles are curshed and turned into raw material, which results in formation of different products.

In start the plastic bottles are collected in bins, which is then transported to recycling centre by collection vehicles. In centres, all collected material is sorted in good and bad category, followed by a compressing of bottles in shape of blocks, which can be used to produce raw material.These blocks of compressed bottles undergoes crushing process in which it is converted into small pieces and curshed material is than washed.

The clean crushed plastic is put into machine to produce plastic pallets, followed by process of heating pallets to form raw material. Raw material is then use to form different kind of products like plastic container, bottles, bags, shirts and pencils. This whole process goes in circle, the products made as a result of recycling goes through same cycle after use.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

You cover the main stages accurately, from placing bottles in bins and collection by truck through sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pellet production and heating, to raw material and new products. Your overview also identifies the circular nature of the process, and the examples of products broadly match the diagram. This gives the reader a clear account of the process. To make the description more fully developed, include the sorting outcome more precisely: bottles are separated into accepted and rejected items, rather than simply “good and bad category.” You could also clarify that the end products return to the beginning of the cycle after use. The overview’s statement that “all bottles are crushed” slightly overgeneralises, since sorting occurs first.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response is arranged in a sensible sequence: an introduction and overview are followed by the collection and processing stages, then the products and the return loop. Linking phrases such as “followed by,” “then,” and “as a result” help show the order of events, and the paragraphing supports the overall progression. This is coherent, though some connections are mechanical or unclear. For example, “which is then transported” has an uncertain reference, and the long sentence beginning “In centres” packs sorting, compressing and the purpose of the blocks together. Use clearer stage-by-stage transitions and make references explicit—for instance, state that the collected bottles are transported, then describe sorting as a separate step. This would make the progression more consistently easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “sorted,” “compressing,” “crushing,” “washed,” “heating,” and “raw material.” These terms help communicate the stages, and the product examples add useful specificity. However, some word choices and collocations are imprecise, such as “formation of different products,” “good and bad category,” and “plastic pallets” for pellets. There are also spelling errors, including “curshed,” “than” where “then” is intended, and “pallets.” These do not prevent understanding, but they reduce accuracy and polish. Aim for standard process collocations such as “the production of various products” and check technical terms and spelling carefully. More precise vocabulary would strengthen the description without requiring unnecessarily complex wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex structures, including relative clauses and sequencing clauses, as in “which results in formation” and “followed by process of heating.” The overall meaning remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. Examples include “In start” instead of “At the start,” “which is then transported” after the plural “bottles,” “blocks … undergoes,” and “Raw material is then use.” Articles and plural forms are also inconsistent, as in “in shape of blocks” and “different kind of products.” Review subject–verb agreement, passive verb forms, and article use. Breaking some longer sentences into shorter stages would also help you maintain accuracy while still showing a range of structures.

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