Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-02

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 6.5)

The illustration depicts the procedure for water clock production.

As an overview, it has seven stages to create your own water clock. This process begins with a water source from the tap, with the use of plastic bottle, and creating holes to maintain water level. The level of water per minute is measured on the second container and will be discarded. The process is repeated to measure timing.

To begin with, it needs a water source from the tap which will flow towards the opening of a plastic bottle. The top container is taped securely on a stand, While covering the hole at the bottom with a finger, it is continuously filled with tap water until it overflows. Additionally, a straw is glued at the side of the top container to maintain the water level.

At the bottom of the stand, another plastic bottle is positioned with the neck cut off. There are callibration marks on the container. The finger that covers the base of the top bottle will be removed to allow flow of the water. The fluid collected will then be measured in levels per minute. Finally, the collected water will be discarded and the process will be repeated to measure timing.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by outlining the equipment and the sequential stages required to build and operate a water clock. An overview is provided, capturing the essential nature of the process and its ultimate purpose of timing things. Key features such as the top bottle with an overflow straw, the wooden stand, the tap, and the lower calibrated container are all appropriately reported. However, certain aspects are slightly under-developed or generalized; for instance, the description of how calibration marks are used on the lower container could have been more fully integrated into the step-by-step procedure. Despite this minor imbalance, the response clearly covers the visual information and maintains a relevant, informative tone throughout, fully earning this solid band.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The text demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from the introductory overview to the detailed body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the setup of the apparatus from the operational stages. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader, such as 'To begin with,' 'Additionally,' and 'Finally.' However, cohesion is occasionally mechanical or slightly repetitive in its transitional phrasing, and referencing within sentences (such as 'While covering the hole at the bottom with a finger, it is continuously filled') creates slight ambiguity regarding the subject. These minor shortcomings prevent the response from achieving a higher band, reflecting a competent management of paragraphing and logical flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

An adequate range of vocabulary is used to accomplish the task successfully, incorporating subject-specific terms such as 'procedure,' 'calibrated,' 'overflow,' and 'apparatus.' The writer attempts less common vocabulary items like 'continually filled' and 'discarded,' demonstrating some awareness of collocation and style. However, there are occasional lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as 'water clock production' instead of construction, and the spelling error 'callibration' instead of calibration. These errors do not impede communication, allowing the reader to follow the technical description easily, which is characteristic of this performance level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The writing exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing passive structures and subordinate clauses appropriately, such as 'The top container is taped securely on a stand' and 'the fluid collected will then be measured.' There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, including minor prepositional slips and dangling modifiers (e.g., 'While covering the hole at the bottom with a finger, it is continuously filled,' where the introductory participle clause lacks a clear logical subject). Nevertheless, these errors are relatively infrequent and rarely impede communication, allowing the reader to grasp the technical instructions without difficulty.

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