Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-15

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 4.5)

The diagram below illustrates process for making a water clock.

overall, the diagaram is consits of seven main stages. this is man made or linear process there is showing how to build own water clock.

first of all the tap is open and fill water on a plastic bottle . the bottle is on the long stick rubbed by tape after that in the middle of bottle we have to make hole and add straw and in the base of bottle there is also a hole the finger away from bottle the plactice bottle neck cut off make lecel per minute then after this process empty ans repeat process for timing things.

at the last tap on cover hole with finger fill top bottle to overflow level constant finger away from hole levels per minute empty and repeat process for timing things it is the main process to make own water clock

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the process of making a water clock as shown in the diagram. While it mentions key elements such as the tap, plastic bottles, straw, and stages of operation, the information is presented in a very fragmented and repetitive manner. For example, the writer lists the stages ('1 tap on', '2 cover hole with finger', etc.) twice, once in the middle section and again at the end, without providing a clear, cohesive explanation of how the apparatus functions as a whole. The overview is extremely brief and lacks development. Consequently, the task is addressed only partially, aligning with the criteria for a band 5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The organization of the text is severely lacking. There is an absence of proper paragraphing, with the entire response huddled into a couple of blocky paragraphs that mix introduction, body, and repetition. Cohesive devices are either missing or misused, resulting in a text that reads like a random collection of phrases rather than a logically structured report. For instance, transitions between steps are abrupt, using disjointed phrases like 'after that' and 'at the last' followed by unpunctuated lists of instructions. Progression is difficult to discern due to the lack of clear logical links between sentences, placing this performance at a band 4.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive ('plastic bottle', 'hole', 'tap', 'process'). There are frequent spelling and word choice errors, such as 'diagaram' for diagram, 'consits' for consists, 'man made' for manual, 'lecel' for level, and 'ans' for and. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary related to the diagram labels, but these are often copied directly and used inaccurately in the sentence structure. The limited range of vocabulary and frequent lexical errors cause strain for the reader, which is indicative of a band 4 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The grammatical range is extremely limited, relying heavily on simple clauses strung together without correct punctuation. There is a complete lack of proper sentence boundaries, leading to run-on sentences and fragments (e.g., 'this is man made or linear process there is showing how to build own water clock'). Punctuation is largely absent or misused, with no capital letters at the beginnings of sentences and missing periods. Errors in verb forms and agreement are frequent, such as 'the tap is open and fill water' and 'the finger away from bottle'. These pervasive grammatical errors significantly impede readability and fit the band 4 descriptors.

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