Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-02

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 illustrations highlight how the plastic bottles recycle.

On the whole, it is clear that plastic bottles go through a series of 9 stages to be recycled. It initially picked up from dustbin and continue to processed until it recycled again.

In the first two steps, the wastes picked up from the recycle bin and then poured into dumper to shift these wastes into Recycling centre, where it get sorted in the third step. In the fourth step, it got converted into blocks after subjecting into compression. These squared blocks then pass through a crusher machine where it transformed into tiny particles in the fifth step. These tiny particles then washed in a water.

In the intermediary stage (Sixth step) of their recycling, They pass through a machine where it produces plastic pallets. These plastic pallets then heated to form raw material in the Eight step where it converted into desired products like clothes, bottl

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as a sequence of nine stages and describe several central steps, including sorting, compressing, crushing, washing, pellet production and heating. This gives the reader a relevant account of the recycling process. However, the response does not fully cover the diagram: the collection truck is described as a “dumper,” and the final stage of producing new items is cut off after “clothes, bottl…”. The overview also says the bottles are “picked up from dustbin” and “recycled again,” but does not clearly explain that the finished products feed back into the cycle. To strengthen the report, describe the opening and closing stages accurately and complete the account of the end products shown.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally understandable sequence, moving from collection through processing, and phrases such as “In the first two steps” and “In the fourth step” help orient the reader. The overview is separated from the stage-by-stage description, which gives the report a basic structure. However, the final sentence stops before the process is completed, and the transition from washing to pellet production is not clearly expressed. “In the intermediary stage” is also followed by “the Eight step,” making the stage order harder to track. Use consistent stage references and connect each step explicitly, including the return from end products to the start, so the progression is complete and easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “compression,” “crusher machine,” “tiny particles,” “plastic pallets” and “raw material,” which helps convey the main transformations. There is also an attempt to vary wording rather than repeat “bottles” throughout. However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this diagram: “dumper” does not clearly name the collection vehicle, “pallets” is confused with plastic pellets, and “recycle bin” is less precise than a recycling bin. “Desired products” is vague where the diagram shows specific end products. Aim for accurate process terms and natural collocations, and name examples such as bottles, food containers, clothing and carrier bags.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentences, including a sequence of clauses describing how blocks are crushed and washed. However, errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences awkward or unclear. For example, “it initially picked up” lacks a passive verb form, while “it get sorted” has incorrect agreement and tense. The sentence “These tiny particles then washed in a water” also needs a passive construction, and “where it converted” omits the auxiliary verb. Capitalisation is inconsistent in “They” and “Eight.” Practise accurate passive forms for process descriptions, such as “are collected,” “are sorted” and “are heated,” and check agreement, articles and sentence completion.

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