Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-10

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)

This figure depicts the pictorial representation of the how to build the water clock.There are many sequential stages in this regard .By following all these steps students could be able to make their amazing water clock that can work effeciently

the first and foremost step is to on the tap .after opening the tap water will start flowing from it

the second step is to put finger on the hole that was created in the plastic bottle.

the next step is to fill the water bottle to the top consequently water will flow from it.

Furthermore ,you will keep the level constant. When you accomplish this step then put your finger away from hole.

To fulfill the purpose of this device,,note the level change per minute to monitor the time change.

if the plastic container get empty then again repeat the process to calculate time accordingly.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While the report covers the main stages of the process, the description is somewhat superficial and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the mechanism. The introduction is repetitive, and the conclusion is quite brief. To improve, you should aim to expand on the description of each stage, perhaps by explaining the purpose of the components more clearly or providing a more comprehensive overview of the entire process. Because the response is under the word limit, it cannot reach the higher bands.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into a series of steps, which provides a basic logical flow. However, the paragraphing is poor; the text is essentially a list of sentences rather than a cohesive report. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical, such as the repetitive use of 'the next step' or 'the second step'. To improve, you should group related steps into coherent paragraphs and use a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect ideas more naturally, rather than relying on a simple list format.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the precision and variety expected in an academic report. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'pictorial representation of the how to build' and 'amazing water clock'. The range of vocabulary is limited, and there is little attempt to use more sophisticated or technical terminology related to the process. To improve, focus on using more precise verbs and nouns, and ensure that your word choices are appropriate for a formal academic context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation. Issues include missing articles ('on the tap', 'from hole'), incorrect verb forms ('get empty'), and inconsistent capitalization. Punctuation is also problematic, with unnecessary commas and missing spaces after punctuation marks. While the meaning is generally clear, these errors are frequent enough to distract the reader. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, and consistent use of articles and punctuation.

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

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