Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-11-09

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 6.0)

In oder to build a water clock, you need some basic instruments. Those are a tap, two plastic bottles (one with nect cut off), a tape, a straw, glue, and a stand to hold those plastic bottles. Adjust these equipments according to the diagram shown.

You need to place the neck off bottle beneath the first plastic bottle. Hold those bottles by tape with the strand. Make a hole at the bottom of the upper bottle. Attach a straw with the upper bottle as shown in the diagram.

There are seven stages to build this water clock. Open the tap and cover the bottom hole with your finger. Let the water fill the upper bottle till it overflows from the straw. Note this level in the upper bottle. Now remove the finger form the hole and let the water flow into the lower bottle. Calculate the levels per minute according to the lower bottle. Lastly, empty and repeat the whole process in oder to calculate the time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the materials and describe the main sequence, including filling the upper bottle until water overflows, releasing the hole, and repeating the process. However, the report only partly covers the diagram: it does not explain that the straw is fixed near the top as an overflow drain, that the lower bottle is used to mark calibration lines, or that the water level is kept constant before timing begins. The statement “Note this level in the upper bottle” is not supported by the stages, which specify a constant level and levels per minute. Some construction details are also unclear, such as how the bottles are positioned and secured. Include a concise overview and describe the apparatus and stages more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: it moves from materials to construction and then to the operating stages. Paragraphing supports this progression, and sequence markers such as “Now” and “Lastly” help the reader follow the process. This coherent structure is a strength. However, the stages are not consistently distinguished, despite the claim that there are seven: several actions are compressed together, and the transition from construction to operation is abrupt. Some references are also unclear, particularly “those bottles” and “this level,” because the exact objects or level being referred to are not fully specified. To make the progression more controlled, use numbered or clearly separated stages and connect each action to its purpose.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “overflow,” “upper bottle,” “lower bottle,” and “levels per minute,” so the reader can generally understand the subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or spellings reduce precision. “In oder” and “form” are misspellings, while “nect cut off” is unclear; “neck cut off” would be accurate. “Instruments” is not the natural term for the listed items, and “equipments” is an incorrect form because “equipment” is uncountable. “Strand” also appears to be an inaccurate choice for “stand.” Use precise terms for the apparatus and avoid repeating general words such as “bottle” when a more specific description is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You communicate the process using mostly simple instructions and some longer structures, such as “Let the water fill the upper bottle till it overflows from the straw.” The sequence remains understandable, but grammatical control is uneven. For example, “You need to place the neck off bottle” has an incorrect noun phrase, and “Hold those bottles by tape with the strand” has an unclear structure and missing or inaccurate grammatical relationships. “Calculate the levels per minute according to the lower bottle” is also awkwardly constructed. The response relies heavily on imperative sentences, with little variety in sentence patterns. Practise combining steps with accurate clauses, for example, “Once the upper bottle is full, remove your finger so that water flows into the lower container.”

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