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 diagrams illustrate the different stages of the recycling process of plastic bottles.

Overall, This process consistes of eight stages and it is man mad process whereas, first is throwing garbage into basket and last is producing end products.

To commence with, individuals throw bottes of plastic into the garbag after their use subsequently a vehical comes with space for collecting it and transport into recycling center afterword a man keeps bottles in differet cabens for next process. In the forth stage we collecta all bottles into blocks in squre shap.

Next to is crushing process in this stage two wheals move and crush the waste for washing into tub. Now it is main stage of making plastic pellets with a machine and this machine produces raw material and then we give shap to raw material into different products and all products become in the final shape for selling next time in the market.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the subject and give a basic overview, noting that the process begins with bottles being discarded and ends with products being made. You also describe several relevant stages, including collection, sorting, compression, crushing, washing and pellet production. However, the overview contains a key factual error: the diagram has nine numbered stages, not eight, and the process is a closed loop, which you do not clearly explain. Some later stages are also compressed or unclear: heating pellets to form raw material and the return from end products to the recycling bin are not accurately reported. To strengthen the response, give a precise overview of the full cycle and describe each major transformation in sequence.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and two paragraphs describing the stages. Sequencing phrases such as “To commence with,” “In the forth stage” and “Next” help the reader follow the process. However, progression becomes less clear in the final paragraph, where crushing, washing, pellet production, raw material and end products are crowded into a long sequence. Some links are also awkward or unclear, such as “Next to is crushing process” and “afterword a man keeps bottles.” Use clearer stage-by-stage sentences and refer consistently to the diagram’s sequence. A separate sentence explaining that the final products can re-enter the cycle would also make the overall organisation more complete.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “recycling center,” “blocks,” “crushing,” “washing,” “plastic pellets” and “raw material.” This gives the reader a basic understanding of the process. However, the range is limited, and several word choices or spelling errors make parts difficult to interpret, for example “garbag,” “cabens,” “wheals” and “give shap.” Some expressions are also imprecise for a process description: “a man keeps bottles” does not clearly convey sorting, while “two wheals move” is an unclear description of the crushing machinery. Build a more accurate process vocabulary and check spelling; precise verbs such as “sort,” “compress,” “shred” and “heat” would improve clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the sequence is sometimes expressed through clauses linked with “and,” “after” and “whereas.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence structure and verb forms frequently affect clarity. For example, “This process consistes of eight stages” has an agreement error, while “it is man mad process” is not a well-formed clause. The long sentence beginning “To commence with” contains several ideas without clear grammatical boundaries, and “Next to is crushing process” is also difficult to parse. Use shorter, complete sentences, check subject–verb agreement and articles, and punctuate each stage clearly. This will make your process description easier to follow.

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