Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-24

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 7.0)

The diagram illustrates the stages to build your own water clock.

Overall, the process seems simple but involves several pieces of equipment and stages.

In the first stage of the process, a plastic water bottle is attached to the vertical stand with the help of tape. Directly beneath that, a second plastic bottle with its neck cut off is placed to collect the water. The process begins by turning the tap on to fill the upper container. During this operation, a person must put their finger in the bottom hole of the upper bottle. The water level continues to rise until it reaches the horizontal straw attached with glue near the top. The straw allows the excess water to flow out so the water level remains constant.

Once the water level is achieved, the finger is removed from the hole. This allows the water to pour down slowly into the lower plastic bottle. As the process continues, marks are made with a pen on the side of the bottom container to record the water level per minute. If you want to reuse the water clock again, you can empty it and repeat the process for timing things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully covers all stages of the process shown in the diagram. You have clearly identified the equipment and the sequential steps required to build the water clock. The overview is concise and provides a good summary of the process. You have effectively highlighted the key mechanical actions, such as the role of the straw in maintaining a constant water level and the method of marking the container. The information is accurate and well-selected, meeting the requirements of an Academic Task 1 report by presenting a clear, logical description of the process without unnecessary personal commentary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, a body paragraph detailing the setup and initial operation, and a final paragraph explaining the timing mechanism. The progression of ideas is smooth, and you have used cohesive devices such as 'In the first stage', 'Directly beneath', 'During this operation', and 'Once the water level is achieved' to guide the reader through the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the preparation phase from the operational phase. The flow of information is natural and easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process accurately, such as 'vertical stand', 'constant', 'excess water', and 'record'. The word choices are generally precise and appropriate for a technical description. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it could be further enhanced by incorporating more sophisticated terminology related to mechanical processes or fluid dynamics to reach a higher band. There are no significant errors in word choice or spelling that impede communication, and the language used is natural and fits the context of the task well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'The straw allows the excess water to flow out so the water level remains constant.' The use of passive voice ('is attached', 'is placed', 'are made') is appropriate for a process description. There are very few grammatical errors, and the punctuation is accurate. The sentences are well-constructed, and the control over tense and subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the report, contributing to the overall clarity of the writing.

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