Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-11-08

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows the process for making a water clock.

Write a report for a university lecturer describing the information below.

HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN WATER CLOCK

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The diagram illustrate the step by step process for making a water clock.

Overall, the whole mechanism required 6 things which includes, two plastic bottle with neck and neck cut off, a stand, water pipe, glue and tape.

The stand should be below the water pipe and the one bottle connected to stand with the help of tape, connect straw on the top with the help of glue. then put another bolttle on the bottom.

First water poured in to plastic bottle and on the bottton the narrow opening of the bottle must be closed with the help of finger until it fill. After water reaches to top where it overflow with straw and leveled off then remove your finger and water drops accamulate in next bottle which neck cut off. Count the level per minutes and repeat the process for timing things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a water-clock process and include several key stages: filling the upper bottle, removing a finger from the opening, observing water collect below, and repeating the process. However, the account is incomplete and some details are unclear or inaccurate. The overview says the mechanism requires “6 things,” but the diagram labels seven stages and shows components including two bottles, a stand, a straw, glue and tape. The construction description also does not clearly explain the lower bottle’s role or the calibration marks used to measure levels per minute. The response is 7 words below the required minimum. To strengthen the report, give a clearer overview and describe the apparatus and sequence more fully and precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a basic overall structure: an introduction, an overview, a construction description and a final paragraph describing operation. The sequence from assembling the apparatus to using it is generally understandable. However, the progression within paragraphs is sometimes difficult to follow, particularly where construction and operation are combined in the final paragraph. Linking is limited, and the abrupt “then” in “then put another bolttle on the bottom” does not clearly show how the parts relate. Use separate, logically ordered paragraphs for the equipment and the operating stages, and connect steps with clear sequencing expressions such as “Once the bottles are in place” and “Finally.” This would make the relationships between stages easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant vocabulary for the topic, including “stand,” “straw,” “overflow,” and “repeat the process,” so the reader can identify the main equipment and purpose. However, the range is limited, and several choices or forms are imprecise: “water pipe” is less accurate than “straw,” while “levels per minutes” does not clearly describe the calibration marks. Spelling errors such as “bolttle,” “bottton,” and “accamulate” are noticeable and reduce clarity. Aim for precise process vocabulary and check spelling and word forms carefully. For example, describe water as “dripping into the lower bottle” and the marks as “calibration lines” to communicate the mechanism more accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, including a sequence linked with “until” and “then,” but control is inconsistent. The opening has a subject–verb agreement error: “The diagram illustrate” should be “The diagram illustrates.” Other problems include missing or incorrect articles and plurals in “two plastic bottle,” and the unclear construction “which includes.” Sentence boundaries and capitalization also need attention: “connect straw…” begins a new instruction after a full stop but starts with a lowercase letter. Some sentences are understandable, but errors in agreement, sentence formation and punctuation sometimes make the process harder to follow. Practise accurate present-simple descriptions and use complete, clearly punctuated sentences.

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