Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-16

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 the process of making and using a simple water clock to measure time.

Overall, the water clock consist of a plastic bottle fixed to a stand, a strew attached to its side, and a second plastic bottle with its neck removed to collect the water. The process involved maintaing a constant water level and measuring the amount of water collceted over the time.

First, a hole is made in the lower part of a plastic bottle, and a straw is inserted and secured with glue. The bottle is than attached to a stand using a tap is fitted to the top. The second plastic, with its nack cut off, is placed underneath the first bottle to collect the water.

To operate the clock, the hole is covered with a finger and top bottle is filed with water until it reaches the overflow level. The water level is than kept constant. Next, the finger is removed from the hole, allowing water to flow out throught it. The amount of water collected in the lower bottle is measured per minute.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by describing the key components and sequential stages of making and using a water clock. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the essential nature and operation of the apparatus. The description accurately reflects the visual prompt, noting the assembly using bottles, a straw, and a stand, alongside the operational steps such as maintaining a constant water level and measuring the output. The information is relevant and well-supported throughout the response. Therefore, it satisfies the requirements for a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organised and easy to follow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction and overview from the detailed assembly and operation steps. Cohesive devices such as 'First', 'Next', and referencing expressions ('the process', 'the hole') are employed effectively to guide the reader through the progression of steps. While some transitions are straightforward, the overall logical flow and progression are maintained throughout the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate to good range of vocabulary suitable for a process description, using terms like 'illustrates', 'apparatus', 'constant', and 'secured'. However, there are several noticeable spelling errors—such as 'consist' instead of 'consists', 'strew' instead of 'straw', 'maintaing' instead of 'maintaining', 'collceted' instead of 'collected', 'than' instead of 'then', and 'nack' instead of 'neck'—as well as minor lexical inaccuracies. These errors prevent the lexical score from reaching higher bands, though communication is not impeded.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

A mix of simple and complex sentence forms is attempted, such as passive constructions ('a hole is made', 'is attached to a stand'). However, there are recurring grammatical and punctuation lapses, including subject-verb agreement issues ('the water clock consist') and prepositional errors ('out throught it'). Additionally, the sentence 'The bottle is than attached to a stand using a tap is fitted to the top' contains a structural glitch. These errors indicate that control over complex structures is still developing.

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

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