Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-16

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)

The diagram illustrates the process of making a water clock by using different items. Overall, it is apparent that water flows from the tap into the bottles which is attached with stand and there is hole at the base of bottle from which enter into bottle which is cut off from the top.

To begin, the tap of water is opened from which water flows into bottle which is placed on the top of stand the straw is attached on the upper side of bottle with thhe help of glue. Furthermore, the tape is used to hang the bottle. Moreover, the water filled on the specific point and the hole at the base of the jar.

The other bottle which is placed inside the upper bottle from which water dropped in drop form into other bottle on which levels line label on the bottle according to these lines the time measure in minute. when the the bottle full it is empty and then agin repeat this process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram as a water-clock process and mention several relevant components, including the tap, upper bottle, straw, stand, lower bottle and marked levels. You also recognise that water drips into the lower container and that the process is repeated. However, the account only partially describes the stages: it omits covering the hole while filling, filling until water overflows, the constant water level, and removing the finger to start the flow. Some details are inaccurate or unclear, especially saying the lower bottle is “placed inside the upper bottle”; it sits below it on the stand’s base. A clearer overview of how the apparatus measures time, followed by an accurate sequence of the main stages, would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure: an opening overview is followed by two paragraphs describing parts of the process. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin,” “Furthermore,” and “Moreover” show an attempt to guide the reader. However, the progression is not consistently clear, and some links do not express the actual sequence. For example, the second paragraph moves from opening the tap to the straw and tape, then to filling the bottle, without clearly distinguishing construction from operation. The final paragraph combines the dripping, calibration and repetition stages in a confusing way. Organise the report into a clear overview and a chronological account, using stage links such as “Once the bottle is full” and “Finally” only where they accurately connect events.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use a relevant set of basic terms, including “tap,” “straw,” “glue,” “stand,” “hole,” and “levels,” so the reader can identify several parts of the apparatus. However, the vocabulary is limited and some choices make the process difficult to understand. “Hang the bottle” is not an accurate description of attaching it to the stand, while “the other bottle which is placed inside the upper bottle” misidentifies the lower container’s position. Phrases such as “water dropped in drop form” and “the time measure in minute” are also unnatural or imprecise. Use specific process vocabulary, for example “secure,” “overflow,” “drip,” and “calibration marks,” and check spelling such as “again” and “the.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to connect ideas with longer clauses, but the sentence structures are often faulty, and errors frequently make relationships between parts of the process unclear. For example, “water flows from the tap into the bottles which is attached with stand” has problems with agreement and clause structure. In “there is hole at the base of bottle from which enter into bottle,” articles are missing and the verb has no clear subject. The final sentence, “when the the bottle full it is empty,” also lacks the necessary verb forms and has repeated wording. Use shorter, complete sentences first, checking subject–verb agreement, articles and tense; then add subordinate clauses where the relationship is clear. Consistent present simple is appropriate for describing this process.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.