Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-03

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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the processing of how plastic bottles are recycled in various steps.

Overall, it shows that the process starts from bottles being dumped into the recycle bins and undergoes various recycling processes which forms into reusabele raw materials. it shows how plastic containers are being processed in 8 different steps for restoring again to reuse, starting with collecting the bottles from recycle bins.

Firstly, the bottles go into specific dumping zones, where large collecting trucks are used to pick them back up and sending them to recycling centre for selecting which ones to keep and which ones not to. Once the bottles are sorted by the facility, it is sent to get compressed which eventually turns into square blocks.

After the blocks are being formed, they are sent to the crushing machines where it gets crushed and cleaned for the next process which is claiming the plastic palletes. After going through this step, it is left to be heated.

Lastly, when the pallets are cooled down, they form into reusable raw materials that are used to make T-shirts, pencils, reusable bags, plastic containers and also bottles.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main stages from disposal and collection through sorting, compression, crushing, washing, pellet production and the creation of new products. The overview also identifies the process as a cycle and recognises that it produces reusable material. These features make the response relevant and broadly complete. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram shows bottles placed in a recycling bin, not “specific dumping zones”; it does not say the pellets are cooled; and the final stage is producing end products, rather than simply forming raw materials into the listed items. The overview also says there are eight steps, although the diagram presents nine numbered stages. More precise reporting of the heating and raw-material stages would strengthen the account.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by stages in sequence, with “Firstly,” “After,” and “Lastly” helping the reader follow the process. Paragraphing is appropriate, and the main progression from collection to new products is easy to understand. Some links and references are less controlled, however. For example, “After going through this step, it is left to be heated” does not clearly identify what “it” refers to, and the transition from heating to the final products skips the diagram’s separate raw-material stage. The overview repeats the starting point and recycling purpose rather than adding a distinct summary of the cycle. Clearer references and more explicit links between each stage would make the progression more cohesive.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a reasonable range of process vocabulary, including “sorted,” “compressed,” “crushing machines,” “heated,” and “raw materials,” which helps describe the diagram. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “reusable” and “facility.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this process: “dumping zones” for recycling bins, “claiming” for making pellets, and “pallets” where the intended word is “pellets.” “Recycle bins” and “collecting trucks” are understandable but less natural than standard collocations. These errors do not prevent the reader from following the general process, but greater precision in word choice and spelling would improve the description.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including a relative clause in “where large collecting trucks are used” and a time clause beginning “when the pallets are cooled down.” The sequence is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. In the overview, “the process … undergoes” gives the process the wrong subject, and “which forms” does not agree with the plural “processes.” There are also shifts in number and reference in “the bottles … it is sent,” and the sentence beginning “After the blocks are being formed” uses an awkward passive construction. Capitalisation after the full stop in “it shows” also needs attention. More consistent subject–verb agreement and controlled passive forms would improve accuracy.

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