Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-21

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 5.0)

The given process diagram illustrates that how to build a water clock.

Overall, it can be seen that there are multiple steps in the process. The process beginning with fill top bottle while cover the whole of bottle, then plastic booth fill with drops of water and it helps in comparing time. The main things are stand, plastic bottles, tape, glue and straw.

Initially, open up the tap and water fills in the plastic bottle under the tap and cover the hole with finger which is in the bottom of bottle. Fill the plastic bottle until the water overflow from the straw, straw is connected to bottle with glue. Afterwards, level become constant then away the finger from hole. There is a tape which helps in analyzing time as per times.

Moving further, timer starts when drops are dropped into another plastic bottle and time counts as the tape. When the upper bottle empty repeats the process from first step again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response provides an overview of the process, but it lacks clarity and precision in describing the mechanical steps. While the main components are listed, the explanation of how the water clock functions is confusing. For instance, the instruction 'away the finger from hole' is grammatically awkward and fails to clearly explain the mechanism of the water flow. The description of the tape's function is also vague. To improve, you should focus on clearly sequencing the steps and using more precise technical language to describe the interaction between the components, ensuring the reader can follow the process logically.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'Moving further' and 'Afterwards' are used, but the logical flow between sentences is frequently interrupted by grammatical errors and unclear referencing. For example, the transition between the setup phase and the operation phase is abrupt. To reach a higher band, you should work on using a wider range of linking words more naturally and ensure that each sentence clearly connects to the previous one to create a smoother progression of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive, relying on basic terms like 'things', 'bottle', and 'fill'. There are several instances of incorrect word choice, such as 'plastic booth' instead of 'plastic bottle' and 'away the finger' instead of 'remove your finger'. These errors occasionally make the text difficult to follow. To improve, you should aim to use more precise vocabulary related to processes and mechanics, such as 'components', 'apparatus', 'constant', 'initiate', and 'subsequent'. Expanding your range of verbs and nouns will help you describe the process with greater accuracy and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that impede clarity. There are issues with sentence structure, such as 'The given process diagram illustrates that how to build', where 'that' is redundant. Subject-verb agreement and article usage are inconsistent, for example, 'level become constant' should be 'the level becomes constant'. Additionally, the use of prepositions and verb tenses is often incorrect. While there is an attempt to use complex sentences, they are frequently faulty. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for common errors like missing articles and incorrect verb forms will significantly improve your score.

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

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