Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-01

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 4.0)

The picture illustrates the process of making water clock by different apparatus

Overall the development of water clock is observed and also process of using it

firstly we can observe tap which is directly flowing liquid into plastic bottle while the bottle has straw that drips outs excessive glue from it. similary hole in the bottom that fills neck cut off

However there were attached to th stand and tapped minimal stages involved as mechanism

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, finishing significantly short at only 75 words. Consequently, the task is addressed only minimally. The report attempts to outline the process of making and using a water clock, mentioning components such as the tap, plastic bottle, straw, and lower container. However, the description is extremely brief and disjointed. Key stages from the diagram, such as calibrating the levels per minute or using the device for timing, are either omitted or rendered completely unclear. To achieve a higher band, the writer must fully describe all steps of the process and ensure the response meets the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The text lacks overall coherence and clear logical progression. While there is a weak attempt to sequence the information using words like 'firstly', the sentences do not flow logically together to form a structured report. Paragraphing is absent, as the response is written as a single, poorly connected block of text. Cohesive devices are minimal and sometimes misused, making the relationship between ideas unclear—for example, the transition word 'similary' fails to connect the clauses properly. Reference words are not used effectively, resulting in disjointed and confusing statements that require the reader to guess the intended meaning.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with noticeable errors that occasionally impede understanding. The writer manages to include some relevant task-specific terms such as 'apparatus', 'tap', and 'plastic bottle', but struggles with precise word choice and collocation, writing phrases like 'excessive glue from it' and 'neck cut off'. Word forms are also inaccurate in places, such as 'development of water clock'. Spelling is generally adequate, but the limited lexical range and frequent inaccuracies prevent the writing from achieving a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The grammatical range is very limited, consisting mostly of fragmented or poorly formed simple and complex structures. There are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation, including missing articles ('making water clock', 'observe tap'), incorrect prepositions ('making water clock by different apparatus'), and confused sentence structures ('However there were attached to th stand'). These frequent errors can cause difficulty for the reader and distort the intended meaning. To improve, the writer needs to demonstrate control over basic sentence construction, verb agreements, and the correct use of articles.

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

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