Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-14

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 below figure illustrates how the water clock are prepared.

Overall, to make water clock there are 7 steps. So each steps have their own important role in the process. The first steps is started form tap water and end with the proceded water to make water clock.

Firstly, the tap water is used and filled the plastic bottle with that water. The bottle has hole in its buttome so it is covered with the finger. The bottle is filled fully untill its overflow from the straw pipes which is fixed with the glue at the top of the bottle. After the overflow of water the level should be constant.

Secondly, after some time the finger is pulled out form the plastic jar. The small drops of water are fallen down into the another jar which is kept below the first bottle. The levels of water is mesured every minute to keep records. Therefore, after the fulfilled of bottle again the jar is made empty and same process is repeated for timing things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence, from filling the upper bottle to allowing water to drip into the lower container and repeating the process. The overview also identifies seven steps, and details such as the straw overflow and the lower bottle are relevant. However, some important construction information is missing or unclear: the upper bottle is attached to a stand, and the lower bottle has its neck cut off and is used to collect the water. The description of the stages also misstates the purpose of the markings: “The levels of water is mesured every minute” suggests measurement, whereas the diagram indicates that levels are marked per minute. Develop these features more precisely and distinguish the clock’s construction from its operation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The report has a recognisable structure, with an overview followed by two paragraphs describing the process in sequence. “Firstly” and “Secondly” help signal progression, and the final sentence gives the repeat-use stage. However, some links between steps are mechanical or unclear. For example, “After the overflow of water the level should be constant” does not clearly identify which water level remains constant, and “Therefore” does not express a clear cause-and-effect relationship in the final paragraph. References such as “the another jar” also make it harder to track the two containers. Use clearer stage transitions and name the upper and lower bottles consistently so the sequence is easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “overflow,” “straw,” “glue,” “drops,” and “repeated,” which helps communicate the diagram’s main actions. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate, sometimes making the description less clear. “Tap water” is not the tap itself, “plastic jar” changes the diagram’s container, and “proceded water” does not convey the intended final stage. There are also noticeable spelling errors, such as “buttome,” “untill,” and “mesured.” Aim for precise process verbs and consistent names for the equipment; checking spelling and word forms would make your meaning more reliable.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, including a relative clause in “the straw pipes which is fixed with the glue.” The overall sequence remains understandable, but errors in agreement, articles, verb forms, and sentence construction occur across the response. For instance, “the water clock are prepared” has incorrect subject–verb agreement, while “each steps have” and “The levels of water is” also mismatch singular and plural forms. “The small drops of water are fallen down” uses an incorrect verb construction, and “the first steps is started” is awkwardly formed. Practise accurate passive forms for describing a process, and check agreement and articles in each sentence while retaining some varied sentence structures.

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