How recycled paper is made: IELTS Task 1 answer #5, band 7.5

A student’s answer to this repeated IELTS question, shared without their name and marked by Axiom on the four criteria. Select a highlighted passage to see how it could be revised, and why.

156 words. Marked by Axiom on 16 January 2025. Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.

The process this answer describes

How recycled paper is made: the stages in order

Making pulp Used paper is dumped from crates/containers and combined with water and chemicals to create unfiltered pulp.
Filtering The unfiltered pulp passes through a filter into a container below.
Cleaning Air, along with water and soap, is added to the mixture in a tank; ink is separated/removed via an outlet pipe/chute, leaving cleaned pulp.
Making paper The pulp is mixed with water & chemicals, then poured onto a conveyor belt where it passes through heated rollers to squeeze out water; the resulting sheet is rolled into rolls of recycled paper.

Academic Task 1156 words

The diagram illustrates how recycled paper is made.

The diagram shows the production of recycled paper. Overall, this process can be divided into four stages: making pulp, filtering, cleaning, and recycled paper. It is also clear that water, soap and chemicals are the main ingredients in the process of recycling paper.

Grammar & accuracy
Close revision note
RevisedIt is also clear that water, soap, and chemicals are the main ingredients in the paper recycling process.
Added a comma for correct punctuation.

Initially, used paper travels on a conveyor belt toward a tank where it is converted to pulp using water and chemicals. The next tank filters unfiltered pulp. Filtered pulp is then mixed with water and soap in another tank to be cleaned. During this stage, with the help of an air pump, ink on the paper is discharged through a special pipe.

Coherence & cohesion
Close revision note
RevisedInitially, used paper travels on a conveyor belt to a tank, where it is converted to pulp using water and chemicals.
Added a comma for better readability.
Coherence & cohesion
Close revision note
RevisedSubsequently, the unfiltered pulp is transferred to the next tank for filtration.
Improved the transition between stages.
Lexical resource
Close revision note
RevisedFiltered pulp is subsequently mixed with water and soap in another tank for cleaning.
Used 'subsequently' to vary vocabulary and improve coherence.
Lexical resource
Close revision note
RevisedIn this stage, an air pump helps discharge ink from the paper through a designated pipe.
Used 'designated' for more precise vocabulary.

The final stage is producing recycled paper from the pulp coming out of the cleaner tank through a pipe. Once clean pulp has been turned into rollers at a high temperature, water is drained while it is still on the conveyor belt. The eventual product is clean and dry recycled paper.

Coherence & cohesion
Close revision note
RevisedFinally, recycled paper is produced from the clean pulp that exits the cleaner tank through a pipe.
Clarified the final stage with a more cohesive sentence structure.
Grammar & accuracy
Close revision note
RevisedOnce the clean pulp passes through heated rollers, water is drained while it remains on the conveyor belt.
Revised for clarity and grammatical accuracy.
Lexical resource
Close revision note
RevisedThe final product is clean and dry recycled paper.
Replaced 'eventual' with 'final' for more precise vocabulary.

Select a highlighted passage to see its suggested revision.

Estimated by AI. It isn’t an official IELTS score.

What Axiom wrote for each criterion: why the answer earned its band, and what to work on next.

Coherence & cohesion

Band 7.0/ 9

The essay follows a logical sequence and clearly outlines the stages of paper recycling. However, some sentences could be more connected to improve the flow.

Suggestions

Use more linking words to connect ideas.
Ensure each stage is clearly distinguished.

Sentence revisions 3

RevisedInitially, used paper travels on a conveyor belt to a tank, where it is converted to pulp using water and chemicals.
Added a comma for better readability.
RevisedSubsequently, the unfiltered pulp is transferred to the next tank for filtration.
Improved the transition between stages.
RevisedFinally, recycled paper is produced from the clean pulp that exits the cleaner tank through a pipe.
Clarified the final stage with a more cohesive sentence structure.

Grammar & accuracy

Band 8.0/ 9

The essay demonstrates a good range of grammatical structures with minor errors.

Sentence revisions 3

RevisedIt is also clear that water, soap, and chemicals are the main ingredients in the paper recycling process.
Added a comma for correct punctuation.
RevisedOnce the clean pulp passes through heated rollers, water is drained while it remains on the conveyor belt.
Revised for clarity and grammatical accuracy.
RevisedFiltered pulp is then mixed with water and soap in another tank for cleaning.
Changed 'to be cleaned' to 'for cleaning' for grammatical correctness.

Lexical resource

Band 7.0/ 9

The vocabulary is appropriate and relevant, with some variety. However, further diversification could enhance the lexical resource.

Sentence revisions 3

RevisedThe final product is clean and dry recycled paper.
Replaced 'eventual' with 'final' for more precise vocabulary.
RevisedFiltered pulp is subsequently mixed with water and soap in another tank for cleaning.
Used 'subsequently' to vary vocabulary and improve coherence.
RevisedIn this stage, an air pump helps discharge ink from the paper through a designated pipe.
Used 'designated' for more precise vocabulary.

Task achievement

Band 8.0/ 9

The essay effectively covers the main stages of the recycling process and includes relevant details. It accurately reflects the diagram.

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