Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The diagram illustrates the steps involved for water clock.

Overall, it took 7 stages to complete the process. Started with tap on and ends on repeat the process for calculate timing.2 plastice bottles are taken for the whole process.

two different type of bottles used to form water clock.First bottle tied with tape and at the end of the bottle a small hole created.on its first stage, A form of water flow imposed and called as tap on.Filled upper jug with water on a certain level and covered hole with finger to stop the flow of water into other jug.a straw was attached with glue for overflow the water.

After filled the upper jug with particular level of water, and finger removed to start the flow of water into under plastic jug.Now measured the level of water from lower plastic bottle by using a pen . Levels of measured jug calculated by every minute .At final stage , first empty the lower botle of plastic and repeat the process for exact timing .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The report identifies the process as a sequence and gives a broad overview, noting that it begins with the tap and ends by repeating the procedure for timing. It also includes several relevant details, such as the upper and lower bottles, the straw, and measuring water levels each minute. However, some stages are unclear or inaccurately described: the diagram says to cover the hole before filling the upper bottle to overflow, whereas your account presents these actions in a different order. The purpose of the straw as an overflow drain and the constant water level are also not explained clearly. To strengthen the report, describe the construction and operating stages in the diagram’s exact sequence and make the function of each component explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has an overall progression from an introduction and overview to construction details and the final timing stage. This makes the process broadly understandable. However, the organisation within the main paragraph is less controlled: construction, filling, and operation are mixed together, and the sequence of covering the hole and filling the bottle is difficult to follow. Some links, such as “After filled the upper jug,” do not clearly connect the preceding and following actions. Separate the apparatus setup from the numbered operating stages, and use clear sequencing expressions such as “First,” “Next,” and “Finally.” This would make the relationships between steps easier to follow without relying on a long, crowded paragraph.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “overflow,” “straw,” “glue,” “measured,” and “repeat the process,” so the reader can identify the main equipment and actions. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the description unclear. For example, “a form of water flow imposed” does not naturally describe turning on the tap, and “levels of measured jug” is difficult to interpret. There are also spelling errors such as “plastice” and “botle.” Aim for precise process vocabulary and check spelling; naming the “upper bottle,” “lower container,” “calibration marks,” and “water drips” would make the account more exact.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple statements and longer sentences, for example, “A straw was attached with glue for overflow the water.” However, sentence structures are often incomplete or inaccurately formed, and errors sometimes make the sequence harder to understand. Examples include “Overall, it took 7 stages,” which needs a suitable subject and verb form, and “After filled the upper jug,” where the clause structure is incomplete. Articles, agreement, and punctuation also need attention, as in “two different type of bottles used.” Practise writing complete passive sentences for each stage, such as “The hole is covered with a finger before the upper bottle is filled.” More accurate verb forms and sentence boundaries would improve clarity.

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