Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-02

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 assigned diagram illustrates the building process of a personal water clock with the help of the seven precise steps

To embark on , there are two vital components of this instrument namely two customized plastic bottles . First bottle is only has some holes among which first is for water filling and second is for the attachment of a straw with a subjective glue while the second bottle is sliced from half and with numerous levels marked on it . Despite that, a suitable stand is also pivotal to hold the upper bottle with a tape

Moving further, initial step is on the tap and terminate water flow with the help of the finger until upper container start overflowing Subsequently, when the level become steady then termination can be opened and mark immediate levels per minute by utilizing a pencil. Finally , these notations can serve as distinct timings after emptying the lower container

Overall, although the required material is significantly basic ,the stages contain a certain amount of cognitive focus such as while markings

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but the description is often unclear and lacks precision. While you identify the two bottles and the marking process, the explanation of how the clock actually functions is confusing. For instance, the instruction to 'terminate water flow with the help of the finger' is poorly explained, and the connection between the overflow and the marking process is not clearly articulated. To improve, ensure that each step of the process is described logically and accurately so that a reader could follow the instructions without needing to look at the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is divided into paragraphs, which helps the overall structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused. Phrases like 'To embark on' and 'Despite that' are used incorrectly in context, which disrupts the flow of ideas. Additionally, the referencing is sometimes unclear; for example, it is difficult to follow which bottle is being referred to in the second paragraph. Improving the use of transition signals and ensuring clear pronoun references would significantly enhance the logical progression of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is somewhat limited and occasionally inaccurate. You use words like 'subjective' and 'terminate' in ways that do not fit the context of building a clock. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'first bottle is only has some holes' and 'notations can serve as distinct timings'. While you attempt to use some technical vocabulary related to the process, the lack of precision in word choice and collocation hinders the clarity of your report. Focus on learning collocations related to processes and technical descriptions.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including issues with articles ('First bottle is only has'), subject-verb agreement ('level become steady'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are fragmented or contain awkward phrasing that makes them difficult to parse. While you attempt some complex structures, they are often marred by errors. To reach a higher band, you need to focus on basic sentence construction, correct article usage, and ensuring that your verb tenses remain consistent throughout the description of the process.

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

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