Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-05
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 demonstrates the procedure of building a water clock.
Overall, the process is consist of seven steps. It begins with filling a plastic bottle with tap water. Once all the steps are completed, the process can be repeated for timing things.
To begin with, tap is turned on and water starts to fill up an empty plastic bottle with a hole at the bottom. The plastic bottle is attached to a stand via a tape. There is another straw stuck through a hole in top area of the bottle with help of glue. Following this, the hole located at the bottom of the bottle is covered with a finger. Once the top bottle is overflowed with water and the level of water is constant, the next initiated such that the finger is moved away from the hole.
Subsequently, the water start to move out through the hole in form of drops. Moreover, water drops start filling another plastic bottle. The container is neck less and putted on the bottom of the stand. This plastic bottle has levels marked on it. These levels represent minutes such that level 1 means 1 minute and so on. The whole process can be repeated again for recording time by emptying the water bottles and starting the procedure from step one.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers all stages of the process, from the initial setup to the final measurement. You have successfully identified the key components, such as the plastic bottle, the straw, and the marked container. The overview is clear and provides a logical summary of the procedure. However, the description could be more precise; for instance, the explanation of the 'overflow' stage is slightly confusing, and the transition between the setup and the actual operation of the clock could be more fluid. To reach a higher band, ensure that the relationship between the components is described with greater technical clarity, as this is a process description task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, a body paragraph for the setup, and a body paragraph for the operation. You use cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Following this', and 'Subsequently' to guide the reader through the steps. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the paragraphing could be improved by separating the preparation of the apparatus from the actual timing process more distinctly. Additionally, some referencing is slightly unclear, such as 'the next initiated', which lacks a clear subject. Overall, the progression of ideas is easy to follow, but the flow could be more natural.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, using terms like 'procedure', 'constant', and 'represented'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation that limit the score. For example, 'the process is consist of' is grammatically incorrect, and 'putted' is not the correct past participle of 'put'. Phrases like 'neck less' and 'top area' are somewhat informal or imprecise. To improve, focus on using more precise technical vocabulary for describing apparatus and movements, and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt to use passive voice (e.g., 'is attached', 'is covered'), there are frequent errors in grammar and verb usage. Examples include 'the process is consist of' (should be 'consists of'), 'the top bottle is overflowed' (should be 'the bottle overflows'), and 'water start to move' (should be 'starts'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but the grammatical slips are noticeable throughout the text. Increasing the accuracy of subject-verb agreement and verb tense consistency will help elevate your score in this criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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