Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The figure illustrates the procedure for building a water clock. Overall, the process comprises of 7 stages, after arranging the required apparatus on a stand.

Water from the tap falls into a plastic bottle, which is fixed on top of a stand with the help of tape. This bottle has a small hole at its bottom, which needs to be covered with finger until the bottle is filled. Near the neck of the bottle, a straw is attached by glue, which allows water to move out, drop by drop when water reaches above its level. The bottle is filled to overflow until a constant level is attained.

Remove the finger, and allow the movement of water into the second plastic bottle, which is placed at the base of the stand. This bottle has its neck cut off and a number of lines are drawn on the bottle, to count the levels per minute. After that, empty the bottles and repeat the whole procedure to calculate the timing of different things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 7.0

The report gives a clear overview that the process has seven stages and describes the main apparatus and sequence, including filling the upper bottle, releasing the water, and using the lower bottle to record levels. These details address the task and are generally grounded in the diagram. Some points, however, are imprecise: the straw is described as being near the bottle’s “neck,” whereas it is attached near the top as an overflow outlet, and the response does not clearly explain that the lower bottle is marked as water drips into it. The final instruction to empty the bottles and repeat is included. More exact coverage of how the apparatus is assembled and how the markings relate to timing would make the account more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information is organised in a sensible order, moving from the overall process to the upper bottle, then the lower container and the final repetition stage. Paragraphing separates the overview from the procedural details, and links such as “Overall,” “Near the neck,” “Remove the finger,” and “After that” help the reader follow the sequence. The progression is clear throughout. At times, however, the description groups several stages into long sentences, so the numbered sequence is not always explicit—for example, filling to overflow and attaining a constant level are combined. To strengthen the organisation further, signal each major transition more distinctly and avoid linking separate actions in a way that could blur their order.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The response uses a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “procedure,” “attached,” “overflow,” “attained,” and “repeat,” and the meaning remains clear. It also varies its wording rather than relying entirely on basic verbs. Some choices are less precise or natural for describing this diagram: “movement of water” is vague where “flow” would be clearer, and “count the levels per minute” does not accurately express recording the water level at timed intervals. “Calculate the timing of different things” is also awkward and broad. Greater precision in collocations and in naming the function of each component would improve the report. The vocabulary is adequate and occasionally flexible, but these imprecisions limit its accuracy and naturalness.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 7.0

There is a useful mix of sentence forms, including a complex overview clause (“after arranging the required apparatus on a stand”) and relative clauses such as “which is fixed on top of a stand.” Most sentences are clear, and the writer generally controls present-tense process description and punctuation well. A few grammatical issues remain. “Comprises of” is incorrect because “comprise” does not take “of” in this construction; use “comprises seven stages” or “consists of seven stages.” In “covered with finger,” an article is needed before “finger,” and the instruction “Remove the finger, and allow” would read more smoothly without the comma joining the coordinated verbs. These are limited errors, but correcting them would make the otherwise controlled grammar more consistently accurate.

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.