Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-11-04

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 5.0)

The diagram illustrates the process for recycling plastic bottles. Overall, the plastic bottles are processing completed by nine step.

To begin with, an increasing number of people used plastic bottles. After used the bottle, they through in the garbedge or dustbin. Consequently, the authority took the wasteges bottles and transport the product at the recycling centre. Thirdly, the bottles are sorting to the step. After finishing this process, the bottle is compressing into blocks. After that, completed the four process the bottle are crushing by machine. Therefore, the piece of these bottle through the water pot.

Moreover, the piece of plastic freshed and then these producing plastic pellets. Consequently, the produced materials heating pellets to form raw mateial in the seven step. After completing the step, raw material arranged respectively. Finally, from these materials producing a lot of product such as bags, pen, plastic box, pla

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram as a recycling process and give a basic overview that it has nine steps, then describe several stages in sequence. However, the account is only partial: it ends abruptly at “pla” and does not clearly complete the final products or explain that the process loops back to bottle use. Some details are also inaccurate or unclear, such as saying that an increasing number of people use bottles and that “the authority” transports them; these are not shown in the diagram. The response is also below the required 150 words. To develop the report, cover the full cycle accurately, including sorting out unsuitable bottles, washing, pellet production, and the return to the start.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction and overview are followed by two paragraphs describing the stages. Sequencing expressions such as “To begin with,” “After that,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the general order. However, progression becomes difficult to track because several links are repetitive or awkward, including “Consequently” used twice and “After completing the step.” Some references, such as “these materials” and “the product,” are not sufficiently clear, and the final sentence is cut off. Organise the stages into a complete, continuous sequence and use precise references to bottles, plastic pieces, pellets, and raw material.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “recycling centre,” “compressing into blocks,” “crushing,” and “plastic pellets,” which helps communicate the topic. However, the range is limited and several word-choice, collocation, and spelling errors make parts difficult to understand: “garbedge,” “wasteges,” “freshed,” and “raw mateial.” Phrases such as “the bottle is sorting to the step” and “the piece of these bottle” are also not natural descriptions. Build a more accurate set of process verbs and material terms, and check spelling carefully. For example, describe bottles being sorted, plastic being washed, and pellets being heated to produce raw material.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple sentences and longer sequences, and the overall order can usually be inferred. However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and frequent errors in verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction sometimes make the meaning unclear. Examples include “the plastic bottles are processing completed by nine step,” “they through in,” and “the bottles are sorting.” The final clause, “from these materials producing a lot of product,” is also incomplete. Practise forming accurate passive sentences for process descriptions, such as “The bottles are sorted” and “The pellets are heated,” and check singular/plural agreement and complete clause structure.

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