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 image shows the process of making own water clock which, involves 7 steps.

Overall, it can be observed that the diagram shows the steps in building water clock starts from turnon the tap which releases the water into bottle and ends with empty of the plastic water bottle and repeat the process for timings.

The procedure begins with Turnon the tap to release the water into bottle. After that close the hole with your finger in bottom of the bottle until the water overflow from the straw. In the following step check the water level in the bottle.

Subsequently, keep your finger away feom the hole which followes the water goes into the measuring plastic bottle(neck cut off) like the drops. Eventually observe the water levels per minute in the measuring container which shows the time through the measuremnts. In the final step repeat the process until the bottle is empty and continue the process for timing things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a seven-step process and give a broad overview from turning on the tap to repeating the procedure, which captures the overall purpose. However, several important stages are unclear or inaccurately described. For example, the finger covers the hole while the upper bottle is filled until water overflows from the straw; your account instead says to keep the hole covered “until the water overflow,” then check the level, without clearly explaining that the water level is kept constant. You also describe the lower bottle as a measuring container but do not explain that water drips into it and that its levels are marked per minute. A more precise account of the apparatus and the sequence would make the report more complete and clear.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing the stages. Sequencing expressions such as “After that,” “Subsequently,” and “In the final step” help the reader follow the process. However, some links between stages are unclear, particularly where “In the following step check the water level” does not specify which bottle or what is being checked. The overview also repeats the final instruction to empty and repeat, while the later paragraph returns to that same point. Grouping the preparation and filling stages together, then explaining the measurement and repetition stages, would create a more controlled progression. Clearer references to the upper and lower bottles would also improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “overflow,” “measuring container,” “water levels,” and “repeat the process,” so the main topic is generally identifiable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “empty of the plastic water bottle,” “like the drops,” and “shows the time through the measuremnts.” Spelling errors, including “feom,” “followes,” and “measuremnts,” also make the writing less clear. Use precise terms from the diagram, such as “upper bottle,” “lower bottle,” “drips,” and “calibration marks,” and check spelling and natural phrasing. This would make the description more accurate and easier to understand.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and more complex sentences, including a relative clause in “which releases the water into bottle” and a time clause beginning “until.” However, errors occur frequently and sometimes make the sequence difficult to interpret. For example, “which, involves 7 steps” has incorrect punctuation and clause structure, while “the diagram shows the steps in building water clock starts from” combines clauses without a clear grammatical link. Articles are also often missing, as in “into bottle” and “building water clock,” and the instruction “In the following step check” lacks a clear subject. Practise forming complete sentences with consistent subjects and verbs, and check articles, punctuation, and sentence boundaries.

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