Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

The diagram clearly illustrate the process for making a water clock with detailed .

It has 7 step from the tap on to empty and repeat process for timing things, from the raw materials to final product.

overall first step begin from tap on which fill raw material in bottle ,there is a whole outside of the bottle down where need to cover whole with fingers and fill top bottle to overflow straw help to release extra material 4 step glue keep level constant and finger away from the hole and nedeed to levels per minute

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You identify the diagram as a water-clock process and mention its seven stages, including turning on the tap, filling the upper bottle, allowing water to flow, and repeating the process for timing. However, the account is very incomplete: it does not clearly explain how the bottles are arranged, how the lower bottle is marked, or how the overflow straw and stand are used. Some details are inaccurate or unclear, such as saying glue keeps the level constant; the diagram shows glue fixing the straw, while the water level is kept constant by filling to overflow. The response is also below the required 150 words, leaving too little space to describe the stages and apparatus adequately. Develop a clear overview and explain the sequence accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the report: you introduce the process, state that it has seven steps, and then describe some stages. This gives the reader a general sense of the topic. However, most of the information is compressed into one long, poorly punctuated sentence beginning “overall first step begin,” so the sequence is difficult to follow. Connections between actions are unclear, and the reference to “4 step” does not show how it relates to the preceding stages. Use separate paragraphs for the apparatus and the sequence, and signal each stage with clear transitions such as “first,” “next,” and “finally.” This would create a more coherent progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “tap,” “bottle,” “straw,” “overflow,” and “levels per minute,” which helps identify parts of the diagram. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or unsuitable for describing the process. For example, “raw material” does not accurately describe water, and “a whole outside of the bottle down” is difficult to interpret. “Detailed” is also left incomplete in the opening sentence. Spelling and word-form slips such as “nedeed” and “step” instead of “steps” further reduce clarity. Aim for precise terms such as “water,” “hole at the base,” “calibration marks,” and “lower container,” and check spelling and collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt to communicate the sequence using both a short introductory sentence and a longer sentence with linked actions. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, and errors often make the relationships between actions unclear. For example, “The diagram clearly illustrate” has a subject–verb agreement error, while “It has 7 step” needs a plural noun. The phrase “overall first step begin from tap on” has problems with articles, verb form, and sentence construction. The final sentence also runs several ideas together without clear punctuation, making it hard to tell which action belongs to which stage. Practise writing complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and use accurate past or present passive forms to describe each stage.

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