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 following diagram illustrates the process of building a water clock through a tap using articles such as plastic bottles, tape, straw, glue and a stand.

The first and formost step is to arrange the articles properly by taping the first plastic bottle to the stand below the tap and then also placing a bottle (neck cut off) just below the first bottle. In order to make a water clock it is required to poke a hole in the lower segment of the first bottle for the water to pass drop by drop. After arranging the articles put up a finger on the hole and fill the required amount of water in the first bottle and let it overflow in order to have proper leveling of the water.

Remove the finger from the hole and let the water flow drop by drop per minute which will result in water filling in the second bottle then the water can be emptied and the process can be followed again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but it lacks a clear overview of the overall mechanism. While the steps are described, the description of the 'leveling' process is slightly confusing and could be more precise. The response identifies the necessary materials, but it fails to mention the straw, which is a key component shown in the diagram. To reach a higher band, you should provide a clear summary of the process in the introduction and ensure all visual elements, such as the straw and the specific arrangement of the stand, are explicitly mentioned and explained in relation to the final function of the clock.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. For example, the transition between steps relies heavily on simple connectors like 'and then' or 'after'. The progression of ideas is generally clear, but the connection between the leveling of the water and the actual time-keeping function is not fully articulated. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each paragraph has a clear thematic focus would enhance the overall flow and coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. You use basic terms like 'articles' and 'put up a finger', which are functional but not academic. There are also minor inaccuracies in collocation, such as 'proper leveling of the water'. To improve, you should incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to processes and measurements, such as 'components', 'calibration', 'orifice', or 'consistent flow'. Expanding your range to include more academic collocations will help you demonstrate a more flexible and precise command of the language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are several grammatical errors that occasionally affect clarity. For instance, 'The first and formost step' contains a spelling error, and 'put up a finger on the hole' is phrased awkwardly. There are also issues with punctuation and sentence boundary control, such as the run-on sentence in the final paragraph. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and refining the use of complex sentence structures will help improve your accuracy.

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

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