Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram depicts the process of developing a water clock.

Overall, the picture shows several stage in order to build your own water clock. The method uses recycling items such as a straw, plastic bottle, tape, and glue.

The process begins with turning the water tap on, to activate the water system. Before the water goes through, the hole beneath the water bottle should be covered with finger to prevent it from flowing. Subsequently, the top of the bottle is needed to be filled with water in order for it to overflow while having a constant level.

Following this, water will pass through when the finger is away from the hole, which will then pass to the other plastic bottle that was cut off. Additionally, the measurement of the water clock is recorded under levels per minute to show result of the time. Finally, in completion of this, the bottle is required to be empty and conduct a repetitive process for timing things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The report covers the main sequence, from turning on the tap and blocking the hole to allowing water through and repeating the process. It also identifies several materials, including the straw, bottle, tape and glue. However, some important construction details are missing: the upper bottle is fixed to a stand, the straw is attached near its top to drain overflow, and the lower bottle is used to collect water while calibration lines are marked on it. The explanation of “levels per minute” is unclear and does not accurately describe the diagram’s stage of marking levels per minute. Develop these details and explain the apparatus more precisely so that all stages are represented with similar clarity.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by the process in sequence, with a final sentence describing repetition. Connectors such as “Subsequently,” “Following this,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the stages. This logical progression is a strength. Some links, however, are mechanical or do not make the relationship between steps clear. For example, “Additionally” introduces the measurement stage without explaining how the lower bottle’s marked levels relate to timing, while “in completion of this” is an awkward transition. Use more direct links between cause and result, and make references such as “the other plastic bottle” clearer by identifying it as the lower container.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “overflow,” “constant level,” “measurement,” and “repetitive process,” and the meaning is generally understandable. There are also attempts to describe purpose, as in “to prevent it from flowing.” However, some word choices and collocations are imprecise for this diagram. “Developing a water clock” is less suitable than “constructing” or “making” one, and “the measurement … is recorded under levels per minute” does not clearly express the marking of calibration levels. “Activate the water system” is also vague in this context. Choose concrete terms for the apparatus and actions, such as “attach,” “collect,” and “mark calibration lines,” to improve precision and naturalness.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response includes both simple and complex forms, including purpose clauses (“in order to…”) and a relative clause (“that was cut off”), and the sequence is usually easy to understand. Some grammatical errors remain. In “several stage,” the plural should be “stages”; “covered with finger” needs an article or possessive (“a finger”); and “the top of the bottle is needed to be filled” uses an incorrect passive construction. A more accurate form would be “the upper bottle needs to be filled.” The sentence beginning “Following this” also shifts between future forms and passive phrasing, making the action less direct. Check articles, plural endings and passive constructions, while keeping the useful variety of sentence structures.

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