Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-12

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)

This chart illustrates us to build your own water clock using normal things. It contain 7 stages beginning with tap and ending with empty the bottle repeat process for timing things.

First of all, we start from top on than we hang bottle on the top of stand using tape or glue than we hole at the bottom point of bottle and than also do hole on little bit bottom from top and put straw in hole and connect with glue than place the finger at bottom hole fill the water in bottle till it full.

After all these steps we place one more bottle with neck cut off at the bottom point of stand than we mark on bottle with per minute level than we replace the hand from bottom hole of bottle than the lower bottle started filled with drops of water than we empty the lower bottle and repeat the process for timing things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The report identifies the process as a seven-stage sequence, from turning on the tap to emptying and repeating the process, and it includes several relevant construction details, such as attaching a bottle to a stand and using a lower bottle with its neck cut off. However, the account only partially describes the diagram: it does not clearly explain that the upper bottle is filled until water overflows through the straw, or that the lower bottle is marked to show water levels per minute. Some details are inaccurate or unclear, including saying to make a hole “a little bit bottom from top” and suggesting glue as an alternative to tape for attaching the bottle. A clearer overview and more accurate explanation of the apparatus and stages would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has an overall sequence: it begins with a brief introduction, describes setting up the upper bottle, and then explains the lower bottle and repeated timing process. This gives the reader a basic sense of progression. However, the two main paragraphs contain many actions joined by repeated “than” and “and,” so the relationships between steps are sometimes difficult to follow. For example, the first paragraph moves from positioning the tap to attaching and puncturing the bottle without clearly separating these actions. Use distinct stages and linking expressions such as “Next,” “Once the bottle is secured,” and “Finally.” Clearer sentence boundaries and paragraphing would make the sequence easier to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some task-related vocabulary, including “stand,” “straw,” “neck cut off,” “drops of water,” and “timing things,” which helps convey the basic process. However, the range is limited and several choices are imprecise or awkward, such as “top on,” “place the finger,” and “per minute level.” These expressions make parts of the construction difficult to interpret. More precise process vocabulary would help, for example, describing the straw as an overflow outlet and the marks as calibration lines. Aim to use accurate verbs for each action, such as “attach,” “pierce,” “fill,” and “release,” rather than relying on general wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to describe a sequence using longer sentences and time relationships, but grammatical control is weak and errors often make the steps hard to understand. For example, “It contain 7 stages” has an agreement error, while “we start from top on than we hang bottle” has unclear verb forms and sentence structure. Articles and prepositions are also frequently missing, as in “at bottom point of stand,” and the repeated use of “than” disrupts the sentence flow. Use shorter, complete sentences with consistent present simple forms, such as “The upper bottle is attached to the stand with tape.” Check agreement, articles, and punctuation when editing.

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