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)

There is a simple and easiest way to create your own water clock at home, by simply using homemade materials: tap (for water), plastic bottle, stand, tape, glue, straw.

Firstly, take a plastic bottle and make a small hole into it, also cut the neck of the bottle and put it under the bottle filled with water and make a hole under the bottle cover the hole with your finger and put the half cut neck of the bottle under it and now let the water keep dropping into the neck of the bottle.

As the droplets keep dropping mark every one minute, now tape the plastic bottle on the top on a stand and put the marked neck bottle under, now every time the bottom, neck bottle hits a mark it is a minute, as soon as it is filled empty it and put it back again. Repeat this process and you have your own water clock at home.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but it lacks the formal tone required for an Academic Task 1 report. The description is somewhat informal and instructional rather than analytical. While the key components are mentioned, the explanation of the mechanism is slightly confusing, particularly the description of the 'neck' and the 'marked neck bottle.' A more structured approach, perhaps grouping the preparation of materials and the operational steps, would have improved the clarity. The response identifies the process but lacks the precision expected in a university-level report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into three paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'now' is used four times in the final paragraph). The progression of ideas is logical, but the transitions between sentences could be smoother. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the phrase 'put the half cut neck of the bottle under it,' which makes it difficult for the reader to visualize the exact configuration of the apparatus.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is functional but limited. The student relies on basic, repetitive terms like 'make,' 'put,' and 'bottle.' There is little attempt to use more precise, technical vocabulary appropriate for describing a mechanical process (e.g., 'assemble,' 'calibrate,' 'aperture,' or 'reservoir'). While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of variety and the informal phrasing ('easiest way to create') prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Spelling is accurate, but the lexical range is restricted to everyday language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response consists primarily of simple and compound sentences. There is a lack of complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice, which is standard for process descriptions (e.g., 'a hole is made' instead of 'make a hole'). There are several run-on sentences and comma splices, particularly in the second paragraph, where multiple instructions are joined by commas rather than appropriate conjunctions or full stops. While the errors do not completely impede communication, they demonstrate a limited control over sentence structure and punctuation.

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

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