Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-03

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 given diagram identify the process of making a simple water clock using basic materials.

This all process consists of five main steps,starting from setting up the frame and top bottle to allowing water to drip into the bottom conntainer. A tall vertical stand is set up to hold the clock. A plastic bottle is cut and attached upside down to the stand usin tape to make it stand on the same position. A tiny hole is made at the bottom cap of this inverted bottle to let water to dripped slowly. Third,you glue a straw near the top part of the bottle. Fourth, you draw marks on the bottle to count the time. Finnally you cut the top off a second bottle and place it at the bottom to catch the dripping water. This works propeerly when water moves from top to the bottom. It is a simple way to measure time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response addresses the task only partially, presenting a rudimentary overview of the process of making a water clock. While the writer attempts to outline the main steps, the information lacks precision and misses several key mechanical details shown in the diagram, such as the overflow straw and the precise seven-stage numbering sequence. Furthermore, the description of the sequence is somewhat confused, and the mechanical logic of how the clock actually operates is only partially explained. To move to a higher band, the writer would need to cover all parts of the visual data more thoroughly and extend the description of each key stage without relying on over-simplification.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is some basic organization present in the text, with transitional markers such as 'Third', 'Fourth', and 'Finnally' attempting to sequence the steps. However, there is no clear overall progression, and the division of ideas into logical paragraphs is lacking, as the entire response is condensed into a single block of text. Cohesive devices are sometimes used mechanically and repetitively. Referencing is also weak in places, making the flow of instructions harder to follow. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to group related information into clear paragraphs and use a wider, more natural range of cohesive ties to connect the stages of the process smoothly.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and minimally adequate for the task. The writer relies on basic, repetitive terms such as 'process', 'bottle', 'stand', and 'water'. There are noticeable lexical errors, including word-choice and word-form inaccuracies such as 'conntainer', 'usin', 'dripped', and the spelling error 'Finnally'. These errors occasionally cause slight difficulty for the reader. To improve lexical resource, the writer should incorporate a broader range of less common vocabulary appropriate for describing technical processes, alongside accurate spelling and word formation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response displays a very limited range of sentence structures, relying heavily on simple sentences or faulty attempts at complex forms. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues in 'The given diagram identify', incorrect article usage, and prepositions inside grammatical patterns, as seen in 'attached ... usin tape to make it stand on the same position'. Additionally, errors like 'let water to dripped' demonstrate poor control over verb complementation and tense forms. These frequent errors can cause difficulty for the reader. To reach a higher level, the writer must demonstrate better control over complex structures and eliminate basic grammatical inaccuracies.

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