Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-21

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 5.5)

The process diagram illustrates the process how we can make our own clock that works using water.

Overall, water clock making process involves seven different steps using commonly available resources at our home.

The process begins by attaching plastic bottle on stand using tape and placing another transparent container below it. Further steps involved are making a small hole below the attached bottle and creating outlet at the top so that excess water can flow out.

When tap is turned on, the small hole will be covered letting water to fill up till it overflows and remove finger once the level of water is stable. After this the most crucial step of marking levels on the transparent bottle per minute is done. We should make sure the bottle stays the same level throughout the process and thus, process of estimating a minute can be executed precisely each time by emptying the container

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student successfully identifies the main purpose of the diagram, which is to illustrate the process of making a water clock. An overview is provided, noting that the process involves seven distinct steps using household materials. Key features and stages from the diagram—such as attaching the bottle to a stand, creating an overflow outlet, regulating water flow, and marking calibration lines per minute—are adequately covered. However, the explanation is slightly concise and misses a few specific visual details, such as the straw acting as the overflow or the precise function of the lower container. Nevertheless, the response covers all parts of the task sufficiently to meet the requirements for a Band 6.5 or solid Band 6 level.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The report displays a coherent overall arrangement, moving logically from introduction to overview, and then stepping through the process phases. Paragraphing is used, though it could be divided more clearly between the initial setup and the operational stages. Cohesive devices are present (e.g., 'Overall', 'The process begins', 'Further steps', 'When tap is turned on'), but referencing and transitions can occasionally feel a bit mechanical. There is minor awkwardness in sentence linking towards the end of the text, but overall the progression of information remains clear enough for the reader to follow the multi-step process without confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully employing topic-specific terms such as 'process diagram', 'transparent container', 'overflow', and 'calibration lines'. There are some awkward phrasings, such as 'water clock making process' and 'plastic bottle on stand', which lack necessary articles. While the student attempts less common vocabulary, word choices and collocations are occasionally imprecise. However, spelling and word choice errors do not impede communication, placing the response comfortably in the Band 6 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses introduced by 'so that' and 'once'. Grammatical control is generally fair, but there are noticeable errors involving missing articles (e.g., 'attaching plastic bottle on stand', 'removing finger once level of water is stable') and slight pre-positional inaccuracies. Punctuation at the very end of the text is missing a final full stop. Despite these recurring minor errors, the majority of sentences are understandable, and complex forms are attempted with varying degrees of success.

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