Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-18

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 6.0)

The provided diagram represents a water clock, which I can describe step-by-step. At the top, there is a tap above the plastic bottle to be filled. In this bottle, the water level should be maintained above certain measurement. A straw is placed in the horizontal position, stuck to the bottle with a hole in it with the help of glue. As we move downwards, you can see a tape that is responsible for attaching the bottle with a stand. Another hole is created to help with the flow of water in another plastic bottle with a removed neck. However, the hole can be covered with a finger to control the movement of water. The bottom bottle was marked as levels per minute to note the timing. Once the bottom bottle is filled completely, it needs to be emptied to start the process again. This model can be used as a clock, but with the help of water.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response identifies the apparatus and gives a broadly relevant account of how water is used to time events. It mentions the tap, upper and lower bottles, straw, stand, and the repeated process. However, the stages are not reported in their intended order or with enough precision: the tap is turned on, the hole is covered, the upper bottle is filled until water overflows, and only then is the finger removed. The statement that the water level should be “maintained above certain measurement” is unclear, and “filled completely” misrepresents the instruction to empty and repeat the process. Include a concise overview of the setup and explain the constant level and calibration marks more accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The account has a generally understandable progression from the top of the apparatus downwards, followed by a concluding comment about its use. Phrases such as “At the top” and “As we move downwards” help orient the reader, and the sequence of sentences is mostly easy to follow. However, the description shifts between the physical layout and operating instructions without clearly separating them, so the actual stages can be difficult to track. The final sentences also do not fully connect the markings to how timing works. Organising the report into a brief overview and a clearly ordered description of the stages, with precise references such as “the upper bottle” and “the lower bottle,” would improve progression and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

Vocabulary is adequate for describing the diagram, with relevant terms such as “horizontal position,” “stand,” “flow of water,” and “removed neck.” The writer also uses some variation rather than relying entirely on basic words. However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural for a process report: “above certain measurement” does not clearly describe the water level, “a hole is created” suggests an action not shown, and “marked as levels per minute” does not accurately explain the calibration marks. Prefer specific process vocabulary and natural collocations, such as describing water as overflowing through the straw and lines being marked on the lower bottle to indicate levels per minute. This would make the account more precise without requiring unnecessarily complex wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including “However, the hole can be covered with a finger to control the movement of water” and “Once the bottom bottle is filled completely, it needs to be emptied.” Most sentences are understandable, and grammatical errors do not generally obstruct the message. Some phrasing is nevertheless incomplete or awkward in its grammatical construction, particularly “above certain measurement,” which needs an article and a clearer noun phrase, and “a straw … stuck to the bottle with a hole in it,” where the relationships between the parts are difficult to follow. The passive forms are useful for describing a process, but should be applied consistently and precisely. Clearer clause structure and more careful article use would strengthen accuracy.

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