Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-13

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 process diagram explains the procedure for making a water clock.

Overall, the whole process is divided into several steps beginning from opening the tap, yet ending at emptying the bottle for furthermore time calculations.

Firstly, the tap is opened, then a hole at the bottom of bottle is covered with a finger. Furthermore, the top bottle is filled until over flowed.Once the level is constant ,the water is then allowed to come out by keeping the finger away.The neck of bottle is cut and marking is done on it. Water in below bottle is collected and each mark is represented as one minute .Total number of marks show total minutes passed.

The procedure can be repeated just by emptying the lower bottle and reusing it for time calculations.

In the water clock preparation various apparatus is involved including bottles,stand,straw,glue ,tap,and tape.

By following all these seven steps and using the same material a water xlock can be made efficiently. .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the diagram as a process and give a clear overall summary, noting that it begins with opening the tap and ends with emptying the lower bottle for reuse. The main sequence is mostly represented, including covering the hole, filling the upper bottle until it overflows, and releasing the water. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the diagram says to empty and repeat the process, not specifically to empty the bottle “for furthermore time calculations,” and the calibration marks are made on the lower bottle rather than simply described as “each mark” representing a minute. The construction details—such as the stand, straw, glue and tape—are mentioned, but their arrangement and purpose are not explained. Develop these features more precisely to make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, a description of the stages, and a final reference to the materials. Sequencing words such as “Firstly,” “then,” and “Once” help the reader follow the process. However, the progression is not consistently clear because construction details are inserted into the sequence without a clear transition: “The neck of bottle is cut and marking is done on it” appears after the water is released, although this is part of preparing the lower container. The final paragraph also repeats the idea of following the steps without adding much. Group the apparatus preparation separately from the operating stages, and use clearer references to distinguish the upper and lower bottles.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “procedure,” “overflowed,” “collected,” “marks,” and “repeated,” and the reader can generally understand the account. However, some word choices and collocations are awkward or imprecise, such as “for furthermore time calculations,” “water clock preparation,” and “each mark is represented as one minute.” There are also spelling and form slips, including “xlock” and “over flowed,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for concise, natural descriptions of the diagram, for example, explaining that the lower bottle is marked at one-minute intervals and that the process can be repeated to time another period. More precise vocabulary for the apparatus and its functions would strengthen the report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including the time clause “Once the level is constant” and the passive construction “the water is then allowed to come out.” However, grammatical errors occur across the response and sometimes make relationships between steps less clear. Examples include missing articles in “bottom of bottle” and “neck of bottle,” the faulty phrase “until over flowed,” and the sentence fragment-like construction “Total number of marks show total minutes passed.” Subject–verb agreement is also inaccurate there: “number” requires a singular verb. Punctuation and spacing around sentence boundaries are inconsistent, as in “overflowed.Once.” Practise accurate articles, agreement, and complete sentence structures while retaining your attempts at varied forms.

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