Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-12

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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates how to build a water clock.

Overall, the process consist of seven stages, requires several materials including plastic bottles, a straw, tape, glue, stand and a pencil. It begins with the turning on the tap and ends with the emptying of plastic bottles and repeating the process.

The diagram shows that a plastic bottle is attached to the stand with tape and a straw is attached near the top of bottle with the glue. Another plastic bottle, with its neck cut off is placed at the base of the stand.

Initially, the tap is turned on to fill the plastic bottle with water, while the hole at the bottom of the bottle is coverred with the finger. The bottle is filled until the level of straw and allowed it to remain constant. After that, finger is removed from the hole, allowing water to flow in to the lower bottle. The lower bottle is marked at one-minute interval to measure the water level. Finally, when all the water has flowed into the lower bottle, it emptied and repeated the process to measure the water level at different periods of time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully covers all parts of the task by providing a clear overview and describing the main stages of the water clock building process. The report accurately identifies the necessary materials, such as plastic bottles, a straw, tape, and a stand, and outlines the sequential steps from turning on the tap to emptying and repeating the process. An overview is present, highlighting the total number of stages and the general cycle. While some details of the mechanical interaction could be slightly more elaborated, the overall response is fully relevant and satisfies the requirements of an academic task 1 effectively. Therefore, a solid band score is warranted for this criterion.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The text demonstrates a logical organisation and progression throughout. The response is divided into a clear introduction, an overview paragraph, and body paragraphs that detail the steps chronologically. Cohesive devices are used adequately, such as 'It begins with', 'Initially', 'After that', and 'Finally', which help guide the reader through the process. However, some referencing is slightly awkward, for instance, 'it emptied and repeated the process' lacks a clear subject for the passive verb. Paragraphing is generally appropriate, ensuring the information flows reasonably well from one step to the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student employs an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a process, incorporating terms like 'illustrates', 'materials', 'consecutive stages', and 'interval'. There are some successful attempts at less common vocabulary, but occasional inaccuracies in word choice and morphology occur, such as 'consist' instead of 'consists', 'coverred' instead of 'covered', and 'flow in to' instead of 'flow into'. Despite these minor lexical and spelling errors, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the intended meaning without impeding communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writing includes a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over structure through participial phrases and passive voice constructions (e.g., 'a plastic bottle is attached to the stand'). However, there are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'the process consist of seven stages, requires several materials' (missing relative pronoun/verb agreement), 'the turning on the tap', and 'allowed it to remain constant' (missing subject). Punctuation and article usage also show occasional lapses. These errors do not impede communication, but they prevent the text from reaching a higher band.

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