The diagram below gives information about the recycling of glass and plastic containers.
Sample Response
This flowchart shows the differences and similarities in the recycling processeslife 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 containersgoods are made, recycled, and then made into new productsmade anew. The processes have more differences than similarities, but the main differences occurthere are some more significant differences in the earlier stages of the recycling process.
The initial collection and transport of both types of containerboth 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 closely aligned againmore 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.
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.