Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-10

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 7.0)

The diagram illustrates the process by which a water clock is produced through various stages.

Overall, the process consists of several stages, beginning with water from a tap and ending with the container being emptied and the process being repeated to measure time.

Initially, water is taken from a tap and poured into a plastic bottle, after which the hole is covered with a finger. The plastic bottle is then attached to a stand with tape, while a straw is fixed to the bottle using glue. Once this has been completed, the bottle is filled with water.

In the next stage, the finger is removed from the hole, allowing water to drip into the beaker. The beaker contains several measurements indicating the water level. Subsequently, the water level is measured at one-minute intervals. Finally, the beaker becomes empty, and the process is repeated for measuring time, resulting in the production of a water clock.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully covers all stages of the process shown in the diagram. You have provided a clear overview of the procedure, from the initial setup to the final measurement phase. The information is logically sequenced, and the key steps—such as attaching the bottle, using the straw, and measuring the water level—are accurately described. To reach a higher band, you could aim to include more specific technical details from the diagram, such as the specific components or the nature of the measurements, to provide a more comprehensive report for a university lecturer.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is well-organized with a clear introduction, a body paragraph for the setup, and a paragraph for the operational phase. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Once this has been completed', 'In the next stage', and 'Subsequently' creates a logical flow of information. The progression from one step to the next is easy to follow. The paragraphing is appropriate, and the relationship between the ideas is clear throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process accurately, such as 'illustrates', 'attached', 'subsequently', and 'intervals'. The language is natural and appropriate for a technical report. While the vocabulary is functional and clear, it is somewhat standard. To achieve a higher score, you could incorporate more precise, topic-specific terminology or slightly more sophisticated collocations to demonstrate a wider range of lexical flexibility.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a good command of grammatical structures, particularly the use of the passive voice, which is essential for process descriptions (e.g., 'water is taken', 'bottle is attached', 'straw is fixed'). The sentences are generally error-free, and you have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Punctuation is accurate, and there are no significant grammatical slips that impede communication. The control over complex sentence forms is consistent throughout the report.

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

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