Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 diagram illustrates the stages for constructing a water clock of your own. It involves seven different stages and every stage has its own characteristics.

Overall, the water clock undergoes seven stages one after another in the process. All the stages in the process uses its own products like; straw, plastic bottle, tape, glue and stand etc. This process is being done to check the time for timing things.

The first step in the process begins with the tap on then put the finger of your hand to cover the hole below to allow the plastic bottle fill until the top to overflow with the use of glue, straw and tape to attach the bottle at the top with the stand and the another plastic bottle without the neck on it at the bottom of stand. In the fourth step the constant level is checked after that the finger should taken away from the hole to allow the water to be poured into the bottle at the bottom without neck on it drop by drop or in the form of droplets.

Then, the sixth step comes up with the evaluation of levels checked per minute in the bottom bottle and it indicates the time and acts as a clock known as water clock.. Finally the last step comes which is to empty the bottle and repeat the process for timing things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a seven-stage process and include its main purpose: using the water clock to time things. You also mention several relevant construction details, including the stand, straw, glue, tape, and the lower bottle with its neck removed. However, the stages are not always reported accurately or clearly. For example, the diagram says to cover the hole before filling the upper bottle to overflow; your opening sequence makes this difficult to follow, and “with the use of glue, straw and tape” wrongly suggests these are used to fill it. The calibration lines on the lower bottle and the straw’s overflow function are not clearly explained. A more precise overview and a clearer account of how the apparatus works would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph describing the stages. Sequencing expressions such as “The first step,” “In the fourth step,” “Then,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the general order. However, progression becomes difficult in the long third paragraph, where construction details and several stages are combined in one sentence. The overview also repeats the idea of seven stages without summarising the key mechanism, and phrases such as “after that” and “Then” do not always make the relationships between actions precise. Separate the setup from the numbered operating stages, and use shorter sentences with clear references to the upper and lower bottles to improve the flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “stages,” “overflow,” “constant level,” “droplets,” and “repeat the process,” so the reader can recognise the subject and many actions. There is also some attempt to vary wording, for example “constructing” and “undergoes.” However, several choices are vague or unnatural for describing a diagram: “its own characteristics,” “products,” “evaluation of levels checked,” and “the finger should taken away” do not express the intended actions precisely. “Acts as a clock known as water clock” is also awkward and repetitive. Aim for concise, accurate process language, such as “attach,” “mark calibration lines,” and “measure the water level,” rather than broad or conversational phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences with sequencing clauses, but the longer structures are often difficult to control, and errors sometimes make the process hard to follow. For example, “All the stages in the process uses” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “the finger should taken away” is missing “be.” The sentence beginning “The first step in the process begins…” combines multiple actions without a clear grammatical structure. There are also article and punctuation problems, including “a water clock” later becoming “water clock” and the double full stop at the end. Use a consistent present simple or passive form, and divide the sequence into shorter sentences; this will help you show the stages accurately while reducing errors.

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