Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-09-28

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 pictures the process of making a simple water clock using basic materials like plastic bottles and a stand. The overall process contains seven main phases, starting with filling the top bottle with water and finishing with emptying the container to repeat the process again for timing again.

To process begins with, a plastic bottle is taped straight on a vertical stand, then a tap is turned on to supply water inside the plastic bottle. One person needs to cover the small hole at the bottom with a finger while filling the top bottle until it starts to overflow from the straw. Excess water drains out through the straw glued near the neck of the first plastic bottle, that keeps the water level constant inside the bottle.

Next, we can remove the finger from the hole so water can drip down to the second plastic bottle below, which has its neck cut off. As water fills the bottom container, markings are made on the side to show water levels per minute.

Finally, the we can second plastic bollte can be emptied and reused for timing different things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully covers all seven main stages of the water clock building process shown in the diagram. The introduction provides a clear overview of the procedure, and the body paragraphs accurately sequence the steps from mounting the upper bottle, filling it, managing the overflow via the straw, dripping water into the lower container, calibrating the levels, and finally emptying it for future timing. The details selected are entirely grounded in the visual data. The response meets all requirements for Task Achievement, earning a solid Band 7.0 for addressing all parts clearly with well-selected supporting details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The report shows a clear logical organization and progression throughout. The response is divided into an introduction and two logical body paragraphs that mirror the sequence of the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'starting with', 'To process begins with', 'Next', and 'Finally' are utilized to guide the reader through the steps, although some phrasing is slightly awkward ('To process begins with'). Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the initial overview from the detailed sequential steps. Overall, the text demonstrates a coherent arrangement deserving of a Band 6.5.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for a process description, incorporating terms like 'plastic bottles', 'vertical stand', 'overflow', 'drip down', and 'calibration lines'. There are, however, a few noticeable lexical and mechanical errors, such as 'To process begins with' instead of 'The process begins with', and a typographical error near the end ('the we can second plastic bollte can be emptied'). Despite these slips, the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning clearly, supporting a Band 6.0 score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses ('which has its neck cut off') and adverbial clauses of time. While many sentences are clear and grammatically sound, there are several noticeable errors in grammatical control and punctuation, such as comma splices ('...first plastic bottle, that keeps the water level constant...') and messy phrasing in the concluding sentence ('the we can second plastic bollte can be emptied'). These errors do not impede overall communication, but they prevent the response from achieving a higher band. A Band 6.0 reflects this mix of structures and persistent minor errors.

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