Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-09

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 5.5)

The picture diagram indicates the procedure of creating water clock.

Overall, it can be observed that, there are total 7 major stages to make the water clock.

To commence with, in the very first step is to open the water tap to start holding water in plastic bottle. In the second step, the hole below the plastic bottle ought to cover with the fingers. Then, it is mandatory to overflow the top bottle with water and in fourth stage the level of water in plastic bottle should be manage; and when it overflows the water get out from the straw which is attached to top of the bottle. In the fifth stage, the fingers have to move away from hole and water is start filling the jar located below the plastic bottle and the levels per minute count via that. In the last, the process should start in loop to get the accurate result.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks detail in explaining the mechanical function of the water clock. While the seven stages are identified, the explanation of how the water level is managed and how the straw functions is slightly confusing. To improve, you should focus on providing a more cohesive explanation of the physical process rather than just listing steps. The overview is present but could be more descriptive regarding the purpose of the device.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical (e.g., 'In the second step', 'In the fourth stage'). The progression of ideas is logical, but the transitions between sentences could be smoother to create a more natural flow. Using a wider variety of linking words and phrases would improve the overall coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic. There are some awkward collocations, such as 'picture diagram' (which is redundant) and 'the levels per minute count via that'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to processes and measurements, such as 'calibrated', 'mechanism', 'regulated', or 'continuous cycle'. The current range is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the sophistication expected for an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are several grammatical errors throughout the text that affect the clarity of the instructions. For example, 'the hole... ought to cover' should be 'ought to be covered', and 'water is start filling' should be 'water starts to fill'. The sentence structures are mostly simple or contain errors when attempting complex constructions. To improve, focus on passive voice usage, which is essential for process descriptions, and ensure subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the report.

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

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