Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-06

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 chart depicts the process of making water clock.lets analyse the steps involving in this process. First step is arrange apparatus as shown in fig. Then turn on tap then cover the hole with finger.Fill up the top bottle to top so the water began to overflow.keep the level constant .Then removed the finger from the tap . Check the water level per minute.Then make it empty and repeat the process for several time . In given picture,we see a straw attached with glue as a point that mark water level.water drops fall in plastic bottle below.water bottle is filled to top and started overflowing.check water level per minute.by emptying this bottle and repeating the process,we can make our own water clock at home. The method is quite simple . Students can make it in interesting way and enjoying it.It is easy to understand and has low budget.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While the report covers the main stages of the process, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks the analytical depth expected for an Academic Task 1 response. The overview is weak, and the instructions are presented as a list of steps rather than a cohesive summary of the process. To improve, ensure you provide a clear overview of the mechanism and describe the stages with more precision, ensuring you comfortably exceed the word count to allow for full development of the information provided in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, but the flow between sentences is often disjointed. There is a heavy reliance on simple, repetitive sentence structures starting with 'Then' or 'First', which makes the progression feel mechanical rather than fluid. Cohesive devices are limited and sometimes misused, such as the abrupt transition between the procedural steps and the final commentary. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and phrases (e.g., 'subsequently', 'following this', 'once the water reaches') to connect the stages of the process more naturally and improve the overall logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on words directly from the prompt (e.g., 'water', 'bottle', 'process'). There is little evidence of a range of vocabulary suitable for describing technical processes. Phrases like 'make it empty' and 'in interesting way' are unnatural and lack the precision required for an academic report. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to scientific processes, such as 'apparatus', 'constant flow', 'calibration', or 'graduated', and avoid informal phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including missing articles ('the' before 'water clock', 'the' before 'top bottle'), incorrect verb forms ('water began to overflow' instead of 'begins'), and punctuation issues. Sentence structures are predominantly simple, with very few attempts at complex sentences. There are also errors in subject-verb agreement and word order. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, particularly the use of articles and consistent verb tenses when describing a process. Increasing the variety of sentence structures by using relative clauses or passive voice would also be beneficial.

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