This is an IELTS writing task 1 sample answer essay on the topic of the process of how plastic bottles are recycled into clothing.
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IELTS Essay Task 1: Recycled Bottles into Clothes Process
The diagram details the process of making clothes from plastic bottles. Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The diagram delineates the process by which plastic bottles can be reused in the manufacturing of clothing. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are 3 main stages to this entirely man-made process firstly involving the collection and sorting of bottles, followed by cleaning and processing, and finally the actual production of clothes.
In the first step, plastic bottles of varying sizes are collected and transported to factories. In the factories, the bottles are then sorted and placed in a machine to cut them into smaller pieces. The pieces must then be washed and left in the sun to dry.
The transformative stages begin with boiling of the pieces of plastic which precedes straining. After having been strained, the resulting byproduct becomes yarn which is then ready to be weaved into a fabric. Lastly, the finished rolls of material are used in the fabrication of clothing.
Analysis
1. The diagram delineates the process by which plastic bottles can be reused in the manufacturing of clothing. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are 3 main stages to this entirely man-made process firstly involving the collection and sorting of bottles, followed by cleaning and processing, and finally the actual production of clothes.
- Paraphrase what the process shows.
- Write a clear overview summarising the major groups. Read here about overviews for processes.
1. In the first step, plastic bottles of varying sizes are collected and transported to factories. 2. In the factories, the bottles are then sorted and placed in a machine to cut them into smaller pieces. 3. The pieces must then be washed and left in the sun to dry.
- Begin writing about the details of the process.
- This one is tricky to get up to the word count (no longer required on IELTS) so try to make it a little wordy.
- Include every step in the process.
1. The transformative stages begin with boiling of the pieces of plastic which precedes straining. 2. After having been strained, the resulting byproduct becomes yarn which is then ready to be weaved into a fabric. 3. Lastly, the finished rolls of material are used in the fabrication of clothing.
- Write about the rest of the process – include everything!
- Try to paraphrase some of the words from process as well.
- Add in the last step of the process.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Take some notes on a piece of paper to aid your memory:
The diagram delineates the process by which plastic bottles can be reused in the manufacturing of clothing. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that there are 3 main stages to this entirely man-made process firstly involving the collection and sorting of bottles, followed by cleaning and processing, and finally the actual production of clothes.
In the first step, plastic bottles of varying sizes are collected and transported to factories. In the factories, the bottles are then sorted and placed in a machine to cut them into smaller pieces. The pieces must then be washed and left in the sun to dry.
The transformative stages begin with boiling of the pieces of plastic which precedes straining. After having been strained, the resulting byproduct becomes yarn which is then ready to be weaved into a fabric. Lastly, the finished rolls of material are used in the fabrication of clothing.
Answers
Try practicing with the vocabulary below by writing an antonym/opposite word on a piece of paper (or just thinking of one):
delineates describes
by which through which
reused used again
manufacturing production
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that overall
main stages largest steps
entirely completely
man-made process all done by people, not natural
involving dealing with
collection gathering together
sorting organizing
followed by after that
processing making/forming
finally lastly
actual production real making
in the first step firstly
varying different
transported sent
then next
placed put
cut sliced
pieces smaller parts
dry not wet anymore
transformative stage that changes it the most
begin with start with
boiling cooking in water
precedes comes before
straining water drained out
resulting byproduct what is made from that
yarn like string
ready prepared
weaved put together
fabric material
lastly finally
finished rolls of material final pieces of fabric
fabrication production
Pronunciation
Practice saying the words below using this tip with Google voice dictation:
dɪˈlɪnɪeɪts
baɪ wɪʧ
riːˈjuːzd
ˌmænjʊˈfækʧərɪŋ
ˈlʊkɪŋ frɒm ən ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv, ɪt ɪz ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt ðæt
meɪn ˈsteɪʤɪz
ɪnˈtaɪəli
ˈmænˈmeɪd ˈprəʊsɛs
ɪnˈvɒlvɪŋ
kəˈlɛkʃən
ˈsɔːtɪŋ
ˈfɒləʊd baɪ
ˈprəʊsɛsɪŋ
ˈfaɪnəli
ˈækʧʊəl prəˈdʌkʃən
ɪn ðə fɜːst stɛp
ˈveəriɪŋ
trænsˈpɔːtɪd
ðɛn
pleɪst
kʌt
ˈpiːsɪz
draɪ
ˌtrænsˈfɔːmətɪv
bɪˈgɪn wɪð
ˈbɔɪlɪŋ
pri(ː)ˈsiːdz
ˈstreɪnɪŋ
rɪˈzʌltɪŋ ˈbaɪˌprɒdʌkt
jɑːn
ˈrɛdi
wiːvd
ˈfæbrɪk
ˈlɑːstli
ˈfɪnɪʃt rəʊlz ɒv məˈtɪərɪəl
ˌfæbrɪˈkeɪʃən
Vocabulary Practice
Remember and fill in the blanks:
The diagram d____________s the process b__________h plastic bottles can be r_________d in the m________________g of clothing. L_________________________________________t there are 3 m___________s to this e__________y m_________________s firstly i_____________g the c___________n and s_________g of bottles, f______________y cleaning and p_____________g, and f_________y the a_____________________n of clothes.
I____________________p, plastic bottles of v__________g sizes are collected and t_______________d to factories. In the factories, the bottles are t_____n sorted and p________d in a machine to c____t them into smaller p______s. The pieces must then be washed and left in the sun to d____y.
The t_____________________e stages b_____________h b__________g of the pieces of plastic which p___________________g. After having been strained, the r__________________________t becomes y____n which is then r________y to be w__________d into a f________c. L________y, the f_________________________l are used in the f_________________n of clothing.
Listening Practice
Listen to the related topic below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more and use these ideas to practice:
https://www.wired.com/story/plastics-in-fashion-everlane-renew/
Speaking Practice
Practice with the following related questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:
Fashion
- Why are designer bran clothes popular?
- Why are these brands so expensive?
- How has fashion changed in your country?
- Is it important for designers to stay up to date with the latest fashions?
- Is fashion more important than adapting your clothes to the weather?
Writing Practice
Practice with the related process below and then check with my sample answer:

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