The diagram below gives information about the recycling of glass and plastic containers.
Sample Response
This flowchart shows the differences and similarities in the life cycles of glass and plastic containers, from creation and use to recycling and re-creation.
This diagram reveals both similarities and differences in the way that plastic and glass goods are made, recycled, and then made anew. The processes have more differences than similarities, but there are some more significant differences in the earlier stages of the recycling process.
The initial collection and transport of both goods are the same. However, after that, glass is sorted by color and may then be immediately crushed, while plastic is sorted by quality and must be bundled before it can be shredded.
Once the glass is crushed and the plastic is shredded, the processes become more similar again. At this point, both the glass and plastic pieces are washed, and then melted and reshaped into new products. These final steps are nearly identical, although the melting and reshaping of the glass must be done by two separate machines rather than one.
IELTS Writing Correction
- 1. Use task terminology Original: life cycles Suggested revision: recycling processes Why it matters: The task describes recycling processes rather than complete product life cycles.
- 2. Name the items precisely Original: goods Suggested revision: containers Why it matters: Containers is the specific term used in the task prompt.
- 3. Use precise process language Original: made anew Suggested revision: made into new products Why it matters: The revision states the outcome of the process more concretely.
- 4. Remove wordiness Original: there are some more significant differences Suggested revision: the main differences occur Why it matters: The revision removes the vague and repetitive use of more.
- 5. Use an exact reference Original: both goods Suggested revision: both types of container Why it matters: This reference is more precise and maintains the terminology of the task.
- 6. Clarify process convergence Original: more similar again Suggested revision: more closely aligned again Why it matters: The revised phrase describes the convergence of the two processes more precisely.
- 7. Verify early stages Suggested revision: Retain only sorting, crushing, bundling, and shredding stages that are visibly supported by the diagram, and describe their order exactly as shown. Why it matters: The supplied visual has no readable labels confirming the detailed early-stage sequence stated here.
- 8. Verify final stages Suggested revision: Remove or qualify the claims about washing, melting, reshaping, and separate machines unless those details are visible in the diagram. Why it matters: The supplied visual does not visibly support these specific final-stage operations or the machine comparison.
Suggested Rewrites
- life cycles recycling processes
- goods containers
- made anew made into new products
- there are some more significant differences the main differences occur
- both goods both types of container
- more similar again more closely aligned again
Why this response received Band 7.0
The response is highly coherent and uses precise, varied language to compare two purported recycling routes. However, the attached visual contains no labelled glass or plastic stages, so the specific claims about sorting, bundling, shredding, washing, melting, and machinery are unsupported and Task Achievement is substantially limited. The highest priority is to describe only information visibly present in the supplied diagram and avoid reconstructing a process from outside knowledge.
IELTS Writing Criteria Scores
Task Achievement
Although the response offers an overview and detailed stages, none of its specific glass- and plastic-recycling claims can be verified from the unlabelled attached visual.
Base every stage and comparison strictly on visible labels, arrows, and objects in the supplied diagram, omitting unsupported details.
Coherence and Cohesion
The response follows a clear comparative sequence, though the first two paragraphs repeat the same overview rather than advancing the description.
Combine the duplicated introductory overview and move directly into the visible process sequence.
Lexical Resource
The vocabulary is flexible and precise, with effective process terms and comparison language used naturally.
Retain this lexical control while ensuring that each technical term is supported by the visual evidence.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy
Complex comparative and passive structures are handled accurately, with only minor awkwardness and no impediment to meaning.
Polish slightly awkward formulations such as 'some more significant differences' for greater naturalness.
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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The diagram below gives information about the recycling of glass and plastic containers.
Your response
Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.