Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-07

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 shows the seven stages for the construction of a water clock for own use.

Overall, the process of building a water clock consists of seven stages in which two plastic bottles are being used. The time is recorded for filling the bottles.

Two plastic bottles are used for this purpose. First bottle is kept under the tap and fixed it with a stand upper to the ground levels. While the neck of the second bottle is removed and it is kept under the first bottle on ground level.

When the process starts, the tap is kept on and allowed to fill upper bottle while a finger is used to stop the water-flow from the bottom hole. When the water starts over flowing, then the finger is removed to levelled the water in the upper bottle.

Meanwhile, the water starts dripping into the second bottle, after finger removal from the hole of the bottom.

The time is recorded when the level of water is maintained per minute. The bottle is again empty and ready to use for next step.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but it lacks sufficient detail and clarity. While you identify the seven stages, the description of the mechanism is somewhat vague. For instance, the instruction to 'fix it with a stand upper to the ground levels' is unclear, and the explanation of how the water clock actually functions (the relationship between the two bottles and the timing) is not fully developed. To improve, ensure you clearly describe the physical setup and the sequential actions as shown in the diagram, ensuring the reader can visualize the process without needing to see the original image.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into short paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'When the process starts', 'Meanwhile', 'When the water starts'). The logical flow between sentences is occasionally interrupted by awkward phrasing, such as the transition between the setup and the actual operation. Using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing (e.g., 'the first bottle', 'the second bottle') is consistent throughout would significantly improve the overall flow and coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic. You rely on simple descriptors like 'kept', 'fixed', and 'removed'. There is an attempt to use some process-related terminology, but it is often imprecise. For example, 'stand upper to the ground levels' is not standard English. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise verbs and nouns related to technical processes, such as 'positioned', 'secured', 'inverted', 'calibrated', or 'flow rate'. Expanding your range of vocabulary will help you describe the process with greater accuracy and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'fixed it with a stand upper to the ground levels' (incorrect word order and preposition usage) and 'to levelled the water' (incorrect verb form). Additionally, there are issues with article usage (e.g., 'First bottle is kept') and awkward phrasing. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage will help improve your accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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