IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 (Process)
Below, you will find a sample answer to an IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 question. The task features a diagram illustrating the process of recycling plastic bottles. This model response demonstrates how to effectively describe a process, using a range of vocabulary and grammar structures appropriate for a high band score. You can use it to study how to organise your ideas, report on each stage clearly, and maintain formal language throughout.
The diagram below illustrates how used plastic bottles are recycled.
The diagram illustrates the process involved in recycling used plastic bottles. Overall, the procedure consists of nine distinct stages, beginning with the disposal of plastic bottles and ending with the production of new plastic items.
Initially, used plastic bottles are discarded into designated recycling bins by consumers. These bottles are then collected and transported by trucks to a recycling facility, where they undergo a sorting stage to separate recyclable bottles from non-recyclable ones. Once sorted, the selected bottles are compressed into large blocks to facilitate further processing.
In the following stage, the plastic blocks are ground into small fragments. Having been shredded, these fragments are thoroughly cleaned in a water tank in order to remove any remaining impurities. After being washed, the plastic pieces are processed into pellets using specialized machinery. The pellets are subsequently heated until they melt, forming raw plastic material for reuse. In the final stage, this raw material is used to manufacture various end products, such as clothing, containers, and other plastic goods.