Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-06

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

HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN WATER CLOCK

Student answer (Band 5.0)

The diagram illustrates the process of making a water clock. It consists of seven steps. It shows how to build your own water clock.

The process initiates with the first step which include turning on tap. Water is collected into a bottle shaped container which is attached with a straw from which water flows drop by drop. Moreover, that bottle also contain hole at the end which is need to cover with the help of finger.

On the other hand, in three stage fill top bottle to overflow in next step you need to fill the bottle level constant on the second container. In 5th stage you take away your finger from the hole and fill it according to levels per minute. In the last stage empty the bottle and again repeat this process for timing things. These are stages takes place in the making water clock. These process takes place in steps.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.0
Coherence and Cohesion5.0
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram as a water-clock process and recognise that it has seven stages, including turning on the tap, filling the upper bottle, removing a finger from the hole, and repeating the process. However, the account only partially describes the information: the apparatus is not clearly explained, and several stages are confused. For example, the diagram says to cover the hole before filling the upper bottle, but your sequence makes this unclear; “fill the bottle level constant on the second container” also misrepresents the constant water level. The straw’s overflow function and the lower bottle’s calibration marks are omitted. To make the report more complete, give a concise overview of how the two bottles and stand work, then describe the stages accurately in order.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some organisation: you begin with an introduction, then describe stages, and use sequence markers such as “first,” “in three stage,” “in 5th stage,” and “in the last stage.” This gives the reader a basic sense of progression. However, the report does not develop in a consistently clear order, and the second paragraph combines construction details with operating instructions. “On the other hand” does not express a contrast here, while “Moreover” adds a detail without clarifying how the parts relate. The final two sentences repeat the idea that the process has stages. Group the apparatus description separately from the numbered operating sequence, and use accurate, varied links such as “next,” “once the bottle is full,” and “finally.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

Your vocabulary is sufficient to identify the main subject and several components, including “water clock,” “bottle,” “straw,” “hole,” and “finger.” You also attempt process language such as “initiates” and “repeat this process.” However, the range is limited and some word combinations are unclear or inaccurate, which makes parts of the description difficult to follow. For instance, “bottle shaped container” does not clearly identify the upper plastic bottle, and “fill it according to levels per minute” does not convey the idea of marking calibration levels. Use precise terms from the diagram and natural process collocations. This would help distinguish the overflow straw, the hole at the base, and the marked lower container.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the reader can understand the general topic and some stages. However, errors are frequent, and attempts to combine ideas often produce faulty structures. Examples include “the first step which include turning on tap,” “that bottle also contain hole,” and “These are stages takes place.” These contain problems with agreement, articles, and clause formation. The sentence beginning “On the other hand, in three stage” is also difficult to parse, while “which is need to cover” uses an incorrect verb construction. Practise writing one clear sentence for each stage, checking subject–verb agreement and articles, then combine ideas only where the relationship is clear. More accurate basic sentences will improve readability.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.