Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-18

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 given daigram illustrates the steps of water clock that how it creates.

Overall,it is clear that a seven-stage process for making and using a water clock. The process involves setting up two plastic bottles on a stand and controlling the flow of water through a small hole, after which the collected water is measured over time.

Initially, a small hole is made in the top of a plastic bottle, and it is covered with afinger. The bottle is then attached to a stand using tape. Next, the top bottle is filled with water until it reaches the required level. A straw is fixed to the bottle with glue so that water can flow through it.

After that, the finger is removed from the hole, allowing the water to drip into a second plastic bottle with its nect cut off. As the water flows down, its level in the lower bottle can be used to measure the time. Finally, the lower bottle is emptied, and the same process is repeated whenever the water clock is needed for timing different activities.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all parts of the task, outlining the seven-stage process for building and operating a water clock based on the visual data. The report includes a clear overall summary stating that the process involves setting up two plastic bottles on a stand to control water flow and measure time. Key features such as the upper bottle, the stand, the overflow straw, the dripping mechanism, and the calibration lines on the lower container are accurately described. However, there are minor inaccuracies in the step sequencing compared to the diagram (for instance, the straw attachment is described as happening alongside filling the top bottle, whereas the diagram shows it fixed as part of the apparatus setup). Overall, the information is well selected and grounded in the source material, earning a solid Band 7.0 for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is arranged with a clear logical progression, moving from an introductory overview to the setup stage, and finally to the operation and measurement stages. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the overview, the initial setup, and the final operation. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Next', 'After that', and 'Finally' are employed to guide the reader through the sequential process, although some transitions feel slightly mechanical. Referencing is generally clear, though minor improvements in linking clauses would enhance the overall flow. The performance fits comfortably within the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range, warranting a Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a mechanical process, using terms such as 'illustrates', 'collected water', 'overflow', 'calibration lines', and 'apparatus'. However, there are some noticeable lexical and spelling errors, such as 'daigram' instead of 'diagram' in the opening sentence and 'nect' instead of 'neck' in the final paragraph. Phrasing like 'how it creates' is unnatural and awkward. While the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main ideas clearly, these errors and a reliance on fairly standard terminology prevent the response from reaching a higher band. This corresponds to a Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as participial clauses ('allowing the water to drip...') and passive constructions ('is made', 'is attached'). There are, however, several grammatical inaccuracies that detract from precision. For example, the opening sentence contains a structural error: 'the steps of water clock that how it creates' should be 'how a water clock is created'. Additionally, 'afinger' lacks a space. Despite these errors, communication is rarely impeded, and the writer demonstrates good control over basic structures alongside attempted complex forms. This aligns with the Band 6.0 descriptors.

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

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