Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-08-28

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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the method of development involved in designing and building a water clock. Overall, the process includes seven different stages, starting with the tap turned on and ending with repeating the process for timing thing after un-filing it.

Initially, a system is designed for building a water clock. For this process, a bottle (top bottle) is attached a with a stick by tape and placed under a tap. Consequently, a straw is attached at the hole on its upper side with glue and a hole is made at its lower side. Furthermore, a plastic bottle (neck cut off) is placed under the top bottle.

The process starts when tap is turned on. Following this, cover the hole under the bottle by placing a finger on it and fill the top of the bottle to overflow. When the water level become constant in the top bottle, place your finger away from hole. At this stage, measure level of water per minute, passes from the top bottle to a bottle placed under it. Finally, empty the under bottle and repeat the process for timing things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all stages of the process, from the initial setup to the final operation. The overview is clear, identifying the seven-stage process. However, some descriptions are slightly confusing, such as 'un-filing it' and 'timing thing', which lack precision. While the main steps are covered, the explanation of the physical setup (e.g., 'top bottle' and 'under bottle') could be more clearly articulated to ensure the reader fully understands the mechanics of the water clock. Overall, the response addresses the prompt effectively, but could benefit from more precise technical terminology to describe the apparatus.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, a setup paragraph, and an operational paragraph. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Consequently', 'Furthermore', and 'Following this' are used to guide the reader through the process. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the phrase 'timing things' at the end, which does not clearly link back to the purpose of the clock. Paragraphing is appropriate, and the progression of ideas is generally easy to follow, though the flow between sentences could be smoother.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision required for a higher band. Phrases like 'timing thing' and 'un-filing it' are imprecise and slightly informal. There is some repetition of basic words like 'bottle' and 'hole'. To improve, you should incorporate more specific technical vocabulary related to scientific processes or measurements, such as 'calibration', 'aperture', 'flow rate', or 'reservoir'. While the meaning is generally clear, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and lacks the sophistication needed for a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'a bottle (top bottle) is attached a with a stick', 'When the water level become constant', and 'place your finger away from hole'. These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable but do not significantly impede communication. The use of passive voice is appropriate for a process description, but the control over prepositions and articles is inconsistent. Increasing the variety of complex structures and proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement would improve the score.

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