Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-19

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 for making a water clock. Overall, it include seven stages which start with tap water.

To begin with, Tap water is filled on plastic bottle which is connected to the stand with the help of tape their is hole on the bottom of the bottle from which water come out on specific speed. Second stage is that cover hole with finger. Third is fill water to the top of bottle to overflow form the straw that is attached on the side of it with the help of glue. fourth is constant the level of water then fiveth stage is that away finger from hole.

Furthermore, water will start filling on specific speed on plastic bottle whose neck is cut off. Bottle is placed exaclty down to uper bottle lying on L shape stand. There are scales on it which show levels per minute. empty and repeat process for timing things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a water-clock process and include several relevant stages, such as covering the hole, filling the upper bottle until water overflows through the straw, and allowing water to collect in the lower bottle. However, the account is only partly complete: the overview says there are seven stages but does not summarise how the process ends or how the clock is used. Some details are unclear or inaccurate, including “tap water is filled on plastic bottle” and the description of the water flowing “on specific speed.” The final stages—marking levels per minute, emptying the bottle, and repeating the process—are mentioned but not clearly explained as the concluding steps. A clearer overview and more precise coverage of the sequence would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure: an introduction and overview are followed by descriptions of the apparatus and stages. Sequencing words such as “To begin with,” “Second stage,” and “Furthermore” help the reader recognise that this is a process. However, progression is not consistently clear. The second paragraph moves between construction details and numbered stages, while the final paragraph returns to the apparatus before giving the last instructions. Some links are also awkward or unclear, for example “then fiveth stage is that away finger from hole.” Group the construction and operating stages in a more logical order, and use clear references such as “the upper bottle” and “the lower bottle” to connect ideas without repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “plastic bottle,” “stand,” “tape,” “glue,” “straw,” and “scales,” which helps convey the diagram’s components. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make the description difficult to understand. Phrases such as “tap water is filled on plastic bottle,” “constant the level of water,” and “away finger from hole” do not express the intended actions naturally. There are also spelling errors, including “exaclty” and “uper,” and “fiveth” is not the correct form. Build a bank of accurate process verbs and technical phrases, such as “attach,” “overflow,” “mark a scale,” and “remove a finger,” and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts both simple and longer sentences, and the opening sentence, “The diagram illustrates the process for making a water clock,” is clear. However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make the sequence hard to follow. Examples include “it include seven stages,” “water come out,” and “Bottle is placed,” where subject–verb agreement or articles are missing. Several clauses are incomplete or incorrectly formed, as in “Second stage is that cover hole with finger” and “then fiveth stage is that away finger from hole.” Capitalisation and punctuation are also inconsistent, particularly after “To begin with.” Practise writing complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and use consistent present simple or passive forms to describe each stage.

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