Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-25

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 diagram illustrates the procedure to set a water clock.

Requirements: Stand, straw, tape, plastic bottle, glue,measuring cylinder or beaker

Procedure: First of all fix the stand.If you have measuring cylinder or beaker place it at the base of stand otherwise cut the neck of the bottle and place this bottle in place of the beaker.Now take another bottle and make a hole at the bottom and fix it above the bottle as shown in figure.

Now place this apparatus below a water tap and turn on the tap.Place your finger at the hole and let it overflow the upper bottle.Once it reached at the constant level turn off the tap and remove your finger.

Not the time and flow of water per minutes.Empty and repeat the same pr

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to describe the process of making a water clock, identifying some key materials such as the stand, straw, and bottles. However, the response suffers from a critical length failure, containing only 129 words, which falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement. Furthermore, the report lacks a clear overall summary or introduction describing the main function of the apparatus, and it trails off abruptly at the end ('pr'). While the sequence of steps is partially outlined, key details from the visual diagram—such as the role of the overflow straw and the calibration markings—are omitted or under-developed. Because of the under-length penalty and incomplete coverage of the diagram's features, Task Achievement is rated at Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The text shows some basic organisation by separating the requirements from the procedure. However, the paragraphing is underdeveloped, and the text consists of one very short body block that abruptly cuts off. Cohesive devices are minimal and somewhat repetitive, relying heavily on simple time markers like 'First of all' and 'Now'. Progression lacks smoothness, and referencing between sentences occasionally becomes unclear, such as the ambiguous instruction to 'fix it above the bottle as shown in figure'. Overall arrangement reflects a basic attempt at a report, but the lack of an overarching structure and the incomplete ending limit the score to Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates a minimally adequate vocabulary range to describe basic objects and actions, using terms like 'stand', 'straw', 'tape', 'bottle', and 'hole'. However, the vocabulary is quite basic and repetitive ('place', 'bottle', 'tap'). There are noticeable word choice inaccuracies and collocation issues, such as 'set a water clock' instead of 'build or construct a water clock' and 'Not the time' (a misspelling/misuse intended for 'Note'). Spelling errors like 'measuring cylinder' lacking articles and the unfinished word 'pr' detract from the lexical score. This performance fits the Band 5.0 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as conditional forms ('If you have measuring cylinder or beaker place it... otherwise cut...'). However, grammatical control is weak, with missing articles ('have measuring cylinder'), punctuation errors, and run-on phrasing. There are frequent errors in sentence boundaries and missing prepositions ('per minutes' instead of 'per minute'). The abrupt ending of the text also leaves grammatical structures incomplete. While basic meaning is partially conveyed, the density of errors and limited accurate range place this at a Band 5.0.

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

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