Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-17

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 diagram illustrates the whole process of building our own water clock.

The diagram show the clear picture of steps for making a water clock. Firstly, The system is kept under a tap. A plastic bottle has been attached with tape on the top side of the stand and a tiny hole is done below the plastic bottle and a straw is attached on the neck of the bottle. A neck cut off plastic bottle is been kept on the bottom of the stand and marked the levels per minute.

After the tap opens, cover the bottom hole with finger to the first plastic bottle and wait till the water reaches to the nozzle of the straw and keep the level constant. Afterwards, take away the finger form the hole and keep the droplets fill the below bottle which indicates the levels per minute. At last, empty the upper bottle and repeat the process for timing the things.

Overall, its shows the process for making a water clock which individual can use on their personal work. A clock is been made perfectly by using some engineering fundamentals for creating a water clock with the plastic bottles.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but the description lacks the precision required for a technical report. While the steps are generally identifiable, the explanation of the mechanism is somewhat vague. For instance, the instruction to 'cover the bottom hole with finger' is informal and lacks the academic tone expected. Furthermore, the overview is repetitive and does not effectively synthesize the key stages of the process. To improve, focus on describing the mechanical function more objectively and ensure the overview highlights the primary purpose of the apparatus rather than repeating the prompt.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Afterwards', and 'At last' are used to signal the progression of steps. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by awkward phrasing and repetitive sentence structures. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the final paragraph where the connection between the process and the 'individual's personal work' is not well-integrated. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring smoother transitions between sentences would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'clear picture of steps' and 'timing the things' are imprecise and lack the academic register required for a university-level report. There is limited use of less common lexical items related to the process (e.g., 'apparatus', 'calibration', 'flow rate'). Some word choices are awkward, such as 'neck cut off plastic bottle'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise technical vocabulary and avoid informal phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'The diagram show' (subject-verb agreement), 'A neck cut off plastic bottle is been kept' (incorrect passive voice construction), and 'take away the finger form the hole' (preposition/spelling error). These errors are noticeable throughout the text. While the meaning is generally understandable, the lack of control over basic grammatical rules and passive voice constructions limits the score. Focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and consistent tense usage.

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