Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-19

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 layout display the making process of a water clock.

Overall, while there is different stages of making a water clock starting from the tap on to fill up the top bottle to overflow down to the bottom bottle with no neck.The stand in this process have a key role as it's holds the both bottle.

Firstly, the first step is the starting from the tap on to fill the top bottle in the stand until the water begin come out from the straw as it attach with the bottle through glu.In step two the hole at the base of bottle start dripping the water into second bottle.

The bottle place on the base of stand starting filling the water drops from the top bottle. But this bottle have no neck and also having the labelling on it to measure the amount of water. Finger place on the top bottle to make the level constant and then remove it from the hole to level per minute and then empty to follow this process for timing things respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main steps of the process for making a water clock, identifying the key components such as the tap, top bottle, straw, stand, and bottom bottle. However, the overview is rather simplistic and contains minor inaccuracies regarding the mechanics shown in the diagram, such as stating that the stand 'holds the both bottle'. While all parts of the diagram are touched upon, the description lacks clarity in tracing the precise mechanical sequence from overflowing to calibration. It satisfies the basic requirements of Academic Task 1 by outlining the stages, but the lack of precise development and occasional misinterpretations place it at a Band 5.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text is organized into three paragraphs, offering a basic structure with an introduction, middle, and conclusion. However, the logical progression is frequently disrupted by awkward transitions and confusing referencing, such as 'The bottle place on the base of stand starting filling the water drops' and run-on sentences detailing multiple distinct steps in a single breath. Cohesive devices are either missing or used inaccurately (e.g., 'respectively' used incorrectly at the end). Paragraphing is attempted, but internal cohesion within paragraphs is weak. Overall arrangement shows some basic organization, but referencing is not always clear, fitting a Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is repetitive and basic, relying heavily on simple terms directly lifted or slightly adapted from the prompt, such as 'water clock', 'bottle', 'stand', and 'tap'. There are noticeable lexical errors and awkward word formations throughout the text, including 'display' instead of 'displays', 'different stages' instead of 'several stages', and 'glu' instead of 'glue'. Attempts at less common vocabulary are limited and often inaccurate (e.g., 'respectively' used out of context). These errors cause some difficulty for the reader and reflect a limited lexical range, corresponding to a Band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The text demonstrates a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying mostly on simple sentences with frequent structural flaws. There are numerous grammatical errors throughout, including subject-verb agreement issues ('the layout display', 'there is different stages', 'stand... have', 'it's holds the both bottle'), missing articles ('the top bottle in the stand'), and incorrect verb forms ('as it attach', 'begin come out'). Complex structures are attempted with subordinate clauses, but they are frequently faulty and obscure meaning. Punctuation errors are also present, such as missing spaces after periods. These frequent errors impede smooth reading, warranting a Band 5.0.

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