Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-01

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 PROVIDED DIAGRAM ILLUSTRATES THE MULTI STAGE PROCESS OF CONSTRUCTING AND UTILIZING A HOMEMADE WATER CLOCK. OVERALL, THE PROCESS CONSISTS OF TWO PRIMARY PHASES , THE INTIAL SETUP OF THE PHYSICAL APPARATUS USING HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, FOLLOWED BY A CYCLICAL, SEVEN-STAGE OPERATIONAL PROCESS TO MEASURE TIME USING WATER FLOW.

TO BEGIN THE CONSTRUCTION, THE APPARATUS REQUIRES AN ACTIVE WATER TAP ATE THE TOP. POSITIONED DIRECTLY ABOVE AN INVERTED PLASTIC BOTTLE SUPPORTED BY A VERTICAL STAND. THE MAIN UPPER BOTTLE FEATURES A STRAW INSERTED HORIZONTALLY NEAR ITS TOP EDGE. SECURED FIRMLY WITH GLUE. BELOW THIS BOTTLE , A SECOND PLASTIC BOTTLE WITH ITS NECK CUT OFF IS PLACED ON THE BASE OF THE STAND TO COLLECT THE FALLING WATER DROPLETS.

THE FUNCTIONAL PROCESS OPERATES THROGH SEVEN DISTINCT STAGES. FIRST, THE TAP IS TURNED ON THE REALSE WATER. THE USER MUST COVER A PRE-DRILLED HOLE IN THE MAIN BOTTLE WITH A FINGER WHILE THE BOTTLE FILLS TO THE POINT OF OVERFLOWING.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response provides a clear overview of the process, identifying the two main phases. However, the description is incomplete. The task asks to describe the process for making a water clock, but the response stops abruptly after the first step of the operational phase. It fails to describe the remaining six stages of the process shown in the diagram. Because the response is unfinished, it fails to cover all parts of the task, which significantly limits the development of the information. To improve, ensure that all stages of the process are described in sufficient detail to provide a complete report.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction and a transition into the construction phase. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the specific steps. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin', 'Below this bottle', and 'First' are used to guide the reader through the text. However, because the response is incomplete, the overall progression is cut short. The use of referencing is generally clear, though the abrupt ending prevents a cohesive conclusion or a full description of the process flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, using terms like 'apparatus', 'inverted', 'cyclical', and 'operational'. There are some minor spelling errors, such as 'INTIAL' (initial) and 'THROGH' (through), and a punctuation error in 'PHASES ,'. While the range is sufficient to describe the physical components, the lack of completion limits the opportunity to demonstrate a wider range of vocabulary related to the functional stages of the clock. The word choice is generally accurate and appropriate for a formal report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The main upper bottle features a straw inserted horizontally near its top edge.' There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'ATE THE TOP' (at the top) and 'THE REALSE WATER' (to release water). Punctuation is inconsistent, particularly with the placement of commas and the use of capitalization for the entire text, which is not appropriate for formal writing. While the errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the overall fluency of the writing.

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