Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-11

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 5.0)

The chart below illustrate the porcess / steps for making a water clock.

Overall, It shows several process of buliding water clock by several seven stages such as, tap on - cover hole with finger - fill top bottle to overflow - level constant - finger away from hole - levels per minute - empty and repeat process for timing things.

The first step is open the tap at constant speed, secondaly cover the bottom hole of bottle, thirdly fill the bottle to overflow, forthly hang the bottle at stand and mention level of water by tape, fifthly finger away from bottom hole of bottle, sixthly get an plastic bottle cut off neck then do level marks per minute and stand under the bottle filled by water and then in final seventh step empty the bucket and repeat process for timing things continue proceds then get perfect own watter clock

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a water-clock process and include the seven stages, from turning on the tap to repeating the process for timing. This gives the report a relevant outline. However, several important details are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram does not say to open the tap at a constant speed, hang the bottle, or use tape to mark the water level. The upper bottle is fixed to a stand, while a straw provides an overflow outlet; water then drips into a lower bottle whose neck has been cut off and which is marked in minute intervals. Your overview mainly repeats the stage labels rather than explaining how the apparatus works. Describe the setup accurately and distinguish the construction from the operating steps.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall sequence: an introduction, an overview, and a description moving from the first stage to the final one. Sequencing words such as “first,” “secondly,” and “finally” help the reader follow the intended order. However, the overview lists all seven stages in one long chain, and the final sentence combines several actions and details, making the progression difficult to track. There is also little separation between building the apparatus and using it to measure time. Organise the report into clearer stages—for example, describe the equipment and setup first, then explain the numbered operating sequence. Use linking phrases to show how water moves from the upper bottle to the lower one.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-related vocabulary, including “overflow,” “bottom hole,” “stand,” and “level marks,” so the reader can recognise the general subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or spellings make the description less precise, such as “mention level of water,” “get an plastic bottle cut off neck,” and “perfect own watter clock.” “Chart” is also less suitable than “diagram” for this visual. Aim for accurate process vocabulary and natural collocations, especially when naming components and actions. For example, describe the upper bottle as attached to a stand and the lower bottle as marked at one-minute intervals. Proofreading spelling and word forms will also make your meaning clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to describe a sequence using several clauses, but sentence structures are mostly basic and errors are frequent enough to make some relationships unclear. For instance, “secondaly cover the bottom hole of bottle” lacks a clear subject and has an article omission, while “then do level marks per minute and stand under the bottle filled by water” joins actions without a clear grammatical structure. The opening also has subject–verb disagreement in “The chart below illustrate.” Use consistent present-simple passive forms where appropriate, such as “The upper bottle is attached to the stand,” and build each stage as a complete sentence. Check articles, verb agreement, and punctuation, and avoid joining too many steps in one sentence.

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