IELTS Writing Task 1: How Glass Bottles Are Recycled Process Diagram

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Writing Prompt

The diagram below illustrates the process by which used glass bottles are recycled into new ones. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Show Band 8–9 model answer

The diagram shows the six-stage process involved in recycling used glass bottles and converting them into new ones for sale.

Overall, the procedure is a continuous cycle beginning with the collection and sorting of discarded bottles and ending with the distribution of newly manufactured, refillable containers to shops. All stages are closely linked, with cleaning and remelting being central to transforming waste into a usable product.

The process starts when used glass bottles are gathered either from households or from public bottle banks. Once collected, they are transported to a facility where they are first sorted according to colour and thoroughly washed to remove any impurities. The clean glass is then mechanically crushed into small fragments known as cullet.

Next, this cullet is transferred to a furnace, where it is heated to a very high temperature until it becomes molten glass. In the subsequent stage, the liquid glass is poured into moulds to form new bottles, which are then carefully cooled so they harden into their final shape.

In the final phase, these newly formed bottles are filled with drinks or other products and delivered to shops, ready to be purchased by consumers, thereby completing the recycling cycle.

Why this response works

This response would score highly as it clearly overviews the cyclical nature and key stages of the recycling process. Task achievement is strong: all steps are covered, sequenced accurately, and the overall purpose is well highlighted. Coherence and cohesion are evident in the logical paragraphing and use of clear connectors. Lexical resource is strong, with appropriate technical terms (e.g. “cullet”, “molten”, “furnace”, “moulds”) and varied verbs. Grammatical range and accuracy are high, with mostly error-free complex sentences and accurate use of the passive to describe processes.