Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-05

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 5.5)

The image illustrates how to build your own water clock by using different tools.

Overall, the manufacturing process consists of the seven main components which includes; a tap, a straw, glue, two plastic bottles, tape and a stand.

Initially, the process begin with a tap on and cover the bottom hole of the bottle with finger. The third step is to fill the top bottle to overflow and a tape is used to adjust the bottle with the stand. After that, the finger is removed from the hole and water gradually flows through the hole. The next step is to adjust a plastic bottle(neck cut off) at the end of the stand and the water fells from the top bottle hole to the lower bottle, where water is monitored over time with the given measurements on the bottle. . At the last stage, the container is emptied and the process is repeated for timing things

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the main parts of the task by describing the process of building a water clock, but it tends to confuse the components of the apparatus with the stages of the process. In the overview, the student lists materials ('a tap, a straw, glue, two plastic bottles, tape and a stand') rather than outlining the overarching stages of how the clock functions. Furthermore, some details of the process are mechanically listed or slightly confused, such as stating 'the process begin with a tap on and cover the bottom hole', which reflects the numbered stages on the diagram rather than synthesizing the information fluently. To reach a higher level, the response should provide a clearer overview of the entire process and present the steps with more precise selection and integration of data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay has a coherent overall arrangement and attempts to sequence the steps logically using transitional markers such as 'Initially', 'After that', and 'At the last stage'. However, paragraphing is underdeveloped, as the entire response is lumped together into a short introductory sentence and a single bulky body paragraph, lacking a distinct introductory overview paragraph. Referencing is sometimes unclear, for instance when shifting between materials and actions without smooth transitions. While cohesive devices are present, their mechanical usage and the lack of proper paragraph partitioning prevent the writing from achieving a higher level of logical progression and organization.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is minimally adequate for the task, with standard terms like 'tap', 'straw', 'plastic bottle', and 'stand' directly borrowed from the diagram. There are noticeable lexical and word-choice errors, such as 'manufacturing process' instead of 'construction process', and 'water fells' instead of 'water falls'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and attempts to use less common phrasing are occasionally awkward or imprecise. To improve lexical resource, the writer should incorporate a wider variety of precise verbs and synonyms related to mechanical processes and liquid flow, while carefully monitoring word forms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The text demonstrates a limited range of structures, relying mostly on simple sentences alongside some basic attempts at complex clauses. There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the response, including subject-verb agreement issues ('the process begin', 'components which includes'), missing prepositions, and awkward phrasing ('a tape is used to adjust the bottle with the stand'). Punctuation errors are also present, such as a stray semicolon ('includes;') and double periods at the end of a sentence. These frequent errors require the reader to occasionally exert effort to decode the meaning, keeping this criterion at its current level.

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