Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-11

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 diagram shows the process for making water clock. Therefore, in this essay i will explain how to build my own water clock.

The first step, i commence with turning on the tap, then i have to cover the hole in the bottom of the bottle with my finger, after that i wait for the bottle until it overflows , the straw sticked in the bottle's side will take out the extra water and the level get constant, I move my finger away from the hole to allow the first plastic bottle drops in the second one, each level present a minute, to repeat the process u have to wait until the second plastic bottle is empty.

To get a successful experience you must follow the entire steps and use good items and materials.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While the student attempts to describe the process, the explanation is overly simplistic and lacks the necessary detail required for an academic report. The response reads more like a set of personal instructions rather than a formal description of a technical process. Furthermore, the final sentence is irrelevant to the task, as it offers advice on how to have a 'successful experience' rather than describing the diagram. To improve, the student must provide a more comprehensive overview of the stages and ensure the tone is objective and formal.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response lacks clear paragraphing, consisting of only two very short paragraphs. While there is a basic attempt at sequencing using transition words like 'The first step' and 'after that', the overall flow is disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and repetitive. The lack of a clear introduction and a structured body makes the progression of ideas difficult to follow. To achieve a higher band, the student should organize the information into logical paragraphs—perhaps grouping the preparation, the active process, and the final measurement—and use a wider variety of linking words to connect the stages of the process more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, relying on simple verbs like 'turning on', 'cover', and 'wait'. There is little attempt to use academic or technical vocabulary appropriate for describing a scientific process or a diagram. Phrases like 'straw sticked in' are grammatically incorrect and demonstrate a limited command of collocation. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the basic meaning, but it lacks the precision and range expected at higher levels. To improve, the student should incorporate more descriptive, process-oriented language such as 'initiate', 'submerge', 'stabilize', and 'calibrate'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('the level get constant'), incorrect verb forms ('straw sticked'), and informal punctuation. The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. The use of the first person ('i commence', 'my finger') is inappropriate for an academic report, which should be written in the passive voice or an objective third-person style. To improve, the student needs to focus on mastering basic sentence construction, using the passive voice for process descriptions, and ensuring consistent verb tense usage.

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

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