Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

This diagram has shown the method of making a water clock. It has given step by step guide to be followed.

To make a water clock need some equipments. At first get a stand and two bottles. Then make a hole in the bottom of one bottle and tie it with the upper side of the stand by using tape. Then make a hole on the upper side of the bottle and place a straw with glue to make a pipe for overflow. Take a second bottle and cut its neck off then place it right beneath of the first bottle. Now place the stand beneath the tap. According to the given stages in the diagram you need to on the tap first and cover the bottom hole of the bottle with the finger. Fill the top bottle to the overflow to make sure that is the constant level. Now move the finger back from to hole to start countdown which make the water to drop down to the lower plastic bottle which has mentioned dropping level count as per minute on it. When the upper bottle get empty the process will be repeated for estimating the time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but it lacks a clear overview or summary of the mechanism. The instructions are presented as a list of steps rather than a formal report for a university lecturer, which affects the tone. While the key stages are identified, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks the analytical focus required for an Academic Task 1. To improve, ensure you provide a clear introductory overview that summarizes the overall purpose of the device and use more formal, objective language to describe the mechanical process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized chronologically, which is appropriate for a process description. However, the paragraphing is non-existent, as the entire response is written as a single block of text. This makes the flow feel dense and less professional. While some cohesive devices like 'At first', 'Then', and 'Now' are used, they are somewhat mechanical and repetitive. The progression of ideas is logical, but the lack of paragraph breaks hinders the overall readability and structure of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is functional but basic. Phrases like 'need some equipments' (equipment is uncountable) and 'make a hole' are repetitive. There is little attempt to use more precise, technical vocabulary related to engineering or processes (e.g., 'aperture', 'calibrate', 'constant flow'). Some word choices are slightly awkward, such as 'move the finger back from to hole'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more varied and precise terminology to describe the components and the physical actions involved in the process.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'need some equipments' (missing subject), 'on the tap' (should be 'turn on'), and 'which make the water to drop' (incorrect verb pattern). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing commas in complex sentences. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequent errors in basic grammar and the lack of complex sentence variety limit the score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and using more varied sentence structures would significantly improve the quality of the writing.

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