Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-09

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 6.0)

The following diagram illustrates all the steps how to make a water clock.

Overall, to make a water clock you have to undergo several steps. It includes different, opening tha tap, place a plastic bottle under the tap. And end with measuring the water levels per minute. The process can be repeated to measure the time.

First, a plastic bottle is hang on a stand using tape. A plastic bottle with its neck off is held under the plastic bottle, to measure the levels. A hole is made in the botton of the bottle, and this opening is initially covered with finger, with a straw attached with glue on the top of the bottle to allow the excess of water to flow and maintain a constant. The water is filled in the bottle untill it overflows after opening the tap.

Once the bottle is filled, the finger is removed and the water drop in the other plastic bottle which is present underneath the first bottle, it used to collect the water and measure the level of water per minute. When the lower container becomes full, it is emptied and the process can be repeated to continue measuring time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The report covers the main stages and gives a relevant overview, noting that the process ends with measuring water levels and can be repeated. It also includes key construction details, such as attaching the upper bottle to a stand, using a straw for overflow, and collecting water in a lower bottle. However, some stages are not described precisely: the finger should cover the hole before the upper bottle is filled, and the water level is kept constant by the overflow straw. The explanation that the lower container is emptied only “when ... full” is not specified in the diagram, which says to empty and repeat for timing. Clarifying the sequence and the purpose of the marked levels would make coverage more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction and overview are followed by the setup and then the operation of the clock. Sequencing expressions such as “First” and “Once the bottle is filled” help the reader follow the process, and the final sentence provides a logical ending. This is a coherent arrangement, with some progression beyond a simple list. However, cohesion is occasionally weakened by unclear references, particularly “this opening” and “it used to collect the water,” where the referents or sentence links are not fully clear. The overview sentence also contains a fragment-like list. Use more precise links between each numbered stage and ensure each sentence has a clear subject.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “stand,” “tape,” “straw,” “overflow,” “levels,” and “container,” so the process is generally understandable. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “maintain a constant” and “measuring the level of water per minute.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise: “undergo several steps” is unnatural for describing a process, “the water drop” does not clearly express continuous dripping, and “maintain a constant” needs a noun such as “level.” Spelling errors such as “botton” and “untill” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process verbs and check spelling and common collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple and more complex forms, including a relative clause in “a plastic bottle with its neck off” and a time clause beginning “Once the bottle is filled.” Most of the process remains understandable, but some grammatical errors occur. For example, “a plastic bottle is hang” has an incorrect passive verb form, while “it used to collect the water” is missing an auxiliary. The overview phrase “It includes different, opening tha tap...” is not a complete, well-formed sentence, and “the water drop” does not show the intended verb form. Articles and prepositions also need attention in phrases such as “covered with finger.” Check passive constructions and make sure each sentence has a complete clause.

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