Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-07-31

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)

The diagram illustrates the process for making a water clock.

Overall, it is a linear process involving seven stages with no repetition of stage.

To build your own water clock, one should have a tap, a straw, glue, two plastic bottles and stand. Initially, the tap is tunned on to let the water to flow. After that, the hole in the plastic container is covered with a finger so as to fill the top bottle to overflow. Then, a straw is glued on the bottle which is used to level the constant. The stand is placed upright and a tape is used to hold the plastic bottle in position.

When the the top bottle has overflowed, the finger is removed to let the water flow in to the plastic bottle at the bottom where the neck has been cut off. The sixth stage levels per minute. Finally the bottle is emptied and the process is repeated for correct things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response addresses the task by describing the process of building a water clock. However, the description of the stages is somewhat confusing and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the mechanism. For instance, the phrase 'level the constant' and 'levels per minute' are unclear and do not accurately reflect the technical purpose of the components shown in the diagram. While the overview is present, the explanation of the process steps is under-developed, and the conclusion is vague ('correct things'). To improve, ensure each step is described with precision, focusing on the function of each part (e.g., the straw as a siphon or overflow mechanism) rather than just listing actions.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is organized into a brief introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph. While there is a logical attempt to sequence the steps using cohesive devices like 'Initially', 'After that', 'Then', and 'Finally', the flow is occasionally disrupted by awkward phrasing. The paragraphing is sufficient for a short report, but the internal cohesion within the body paragraph is somewhat mechanical. The transition between the preparation of materials and the actual operation of the clock could be smoother. The use of referencing is generally clear, though the lack of clarity in the technical description makes the overall progression feel slightly disjointed.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'tunned on' (should be 'turned on') and 'level the constant', which do not convey the intended meaning effectively. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on simple verbs and nouns. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise technical terminology related to diagrams and processes, such as 'components', 'assembly', 'siphon', 'calibrate', or 'regulate'. Avoid vague phrases like 'correct things' and focus on using more descriptive, academic language to explain the function of the apparatus.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity, such as 'the hole... is covered... so as to fill the top bottle to overflow' and 'the the top bottle'. There are also issues with article usage ('a tap, a straw, glue, two plastic bottles and stand') and prepositional errors ('flow in to'). While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement, article usage, and spelling to improve accuracy.

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