The graph below shows waste recycling rates in the U.S. from 1960 to 2011.

Sample Response

1

The line chart compares the percentage of recycling waste in the country of the US over a period of half a century from 1960 to 2011.

2

Overall, it is immediately apparent from the chart that the national recycling rates absorbed massive inclination between two methods of waste and recycling. However, the ratio of per cent of recycling had the lowest number while it doubled in-total waste recovery, with the rates finally reaching 86.9%.

3

In detail, total waste recoverythe percentage of the total waste recovery in the US began at 5.6 millionM tons, and only 6.4% of waste wasgot recycled in 1960. Similarly, the rate of total waste rose slightly tosurged after every five years will share 6.5 M tons in 1965, but only 6.2% of waste wasgot recycled from the recovery of 6.5 M tons. By 1975At the same time, 9.3 M tons of waste were recovered in the US, and 7.3% of waste was reprocessed in 1975. Moreover, there were 16.7 million tons16.7 M Tons of waste found in the USin the region of the US, and 10.1% of waste was recycledgot resue from the total 16.7 million tons16.7M T in 1980.

4

Furthermore, there was a substantial rise in total waste recoverya huge difference in a total waste recovery at 55.8 M tons, while 25.7% of waste was recycledwhich offered 5.7% of waste got reused in the year 1995 and five years later total recovery rose by 13.7 million tonsthe tendency of waste hiked by 14 M tons and the recycling rate reached 28.5%with the recovery of waste at 28.5%. MeanwhileWhilst, 31.4% of waste was recycled from 79.8 million tons of recovered waste79.8 MT of recovery in 2005. Whereas the total recovery of waste surprised in the US and hit the peak with shares at 86.9 M tons, unfortunately, the recycling per cent plummeted and reached 34.7% in the year 2011.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 5.0

The response follows a recognisable chronological structure and attempts to report both series with figures. However, its overview confuses percentages with million tons, and several details contradict the graph, while frequent awkward wording and sentence construction obscure meaning; the priority is to distinguish the two measures clearly, verify every selected value, and describe their overall upward trends accurately.

Band score breakdown

IELTS Writing Criteria Scores

TA

Task Achievement

4.5
Scoring rule

The response addresses both series and includes some correct values, but the overview and several key data statements are inaccurate or misleading.

Next step

Distinguish total recovery in million tons from the recycling percentage, then check values such as 25.7% in 1995 and the rise to 34.7% in 2011.

CC

Coherence and Cohesion

5.5
Scoring rule

The chronological organisation is apparent, but mechanical linking, misplaced contrast markers, and sentence fragments weaken progression.

Next step

Group the early and later periods clearly and use complete sentences with contrast linkers only where the data genuinely contrast.

LR

Lexical Resource

5.0
Scoring rule

There is an attempt to vary trend vocabulary, but frequent inaccurate collocations and word choices make several descriptions unclear.

Next step

Use dependable combinations such as rose to, remained stable, total recovery, and recycling rate instead of strained trend expressions.

GRA

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

5.0
Scoring rule

The response attempts complex structures, but frequent errors in clause formation, agreement, and sentence boundaries sometimes impede understanding.

Next step

Build each comparison around one complete main clause, then add a controlled subordinate clause rather than combining several structures at once.

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IELTS Academic Writing Task 1

The graph below shows waste recycling rates in the U.S. from 1960 to 2011.

Your response

Words0
20:00

Write the task yourself, then compare your choices with the annotated response.