Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-13

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 illustrates the process making and using a simple water clock with two plastic bottles, a stand, a straw and a tap

overall the several stages involved, beinning with setting up the two bottles and ending with measuring time according to the water level. the process can be repated after the lower bottle is emptied .

first plastic bottle is attaced to a stand using tape. A smaller hole made at the bottom of the bottle . another plastic bottle neck cut off for collect the water.

next the tap is truned on to allowed the water to fill the water bottle , during this stage hole cover with a plastic and water level rise t the straw through the water to constant the water level the figure removed then it allowed the water passing to another bottle .

finally the lower water bottle collected the water measure by a mark the water constantly drop to the another water. once the bottle is full of water, it emptied and the hole process can be repeated to measure

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to describe the process of making and using a water clock, covering the main stages from setting up the bottles to measuring time. An overview is provided, noting the beginning and ending points of the process. However, the description of several intermediary steps is unclear, confused, and under-developed, particularly regarding how the straw and the tap regulate the water flow. Important details from the visual prompt are missed or inaccurately described, such as the specific assembly of the bottles and the role of the overflow mechanism. Consequently, the response addresses the task only partially, aligning with the requirements for a Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks proper punctuation, capitalization, and paragraphing, which significantly hinders readability. While there are some basic cohesive devices used at the beginning of sentences such as 'overall', 'first', 'next', and 'finally', the internal organisation of information within paragraphs is disjointed. Referencing is frequently unclear, leaving the reader confused about which bottle or element is being referred to at various points in the text. There is no clear overall progression of ideas, resulting in a performance that meets the descriptors for Band 4.5, rounded to 5.0 due to the presence of some basic sequencing markers.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple terms like 'bottle', 'water', 'hole', and 'tap'. There are noticeable errors in word choice and word formation, such as 'process making' instead of 'process of making', 'attaced' instead of 'attached', and 'truned' instead of 'turned'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with frequent inaccuracy, such as 'to constant the water level'. These lexical limitations and errors cause some difficulty for the reader and restrict the score to a Band 4.5, rounded to 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The response displays a very limited range of grammatical structures. Most sentences are simple or attempt complex forms that are severely flawed, lacking necessary verbs, prepositions, and conjunctions (e.g., 'A smaller hole made at the bottom of the bottle'). Punctuation is entirely absent, with run-on sentences and missing capitalization at the start of sentences and proper nouns. Frequent grammatical errors distort meaning and make several sentences difficult to comprehend. This level of grammatical control corresponds to a Band 4.0.

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