Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-13

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 4.0)

The flow chart unfolds the process for making a water clock.

Overall, there are some steps to build your own water clock get water on tap then empty and repeat process for timings things.

Firstly to build your own water clock get stand and attcted plastic bottle with tape and under plastic bottle neck cut off afterthat tap on then cover hole with finger after water fill top bottle to overflow thereafter level constant with help of straw in next finger away from hole water droping level per minute when bottle is not empty so repeat process for timing things

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, reaching only 100 words. This significantly impacts the task achievement, as the description of the process is incomplete and lacks the necessary detail required for an Academic Task 1 report. The overview is extremely brief, and the steps are described in a fragmented, list-like manner rather than a cohesive narrative. Key stages of the process are mentioned but not clearly explained or linked to the overall function of the water clock. To improve, you must expand on each stage of the process, ensuring all components of the diagram are described in detail.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The response lacks a logical structure. While there is a brief attempt at an introduction and a body paragraph, the progression of ideas is disjointed. Cohesive devices are either missing or used incorrectly, such as the repetitive use of 'then' and 'afterthat'. There is no clear paragraphing to separate the different stages of the process, making the text difficult to follow. The lack of transition words and proper sentence structure means the reader struggles to understand the sequence of events. To improve, use a wider range of linking words like 'subsequently', 'following this', and 'once the process is complete'.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary is very limited and repetitive. Basic terms like 'get', 'cut off', and 'tap' are used repeatedly, which does not demonstrate the range required for an Academic Task 1 response. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'attcted plastic bottle' (likely meant 'attached') and 'timings things'. The lack of precise terminology to describe the mechanical process prevents the response from achieving a higher score. You should focus on learning process-related vocabulary such as 'assemble', 'secure', 'position', 'regulate', and 'maintain'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The grammatical range is very limited, consisting mostly of simple, poorly constructed sentences. There are frequent errors in punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure, which often impede clarity. For example, the phrase 'under plastic bottle neck cut off afterthat tap on' is grammatically incoherent. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the misuse of prepositions and verb forms is pervasive. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring each sentence has a clear subject and verb, and practice using conjunctions to combine simple ideas into more complex, accurate sentences.

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