Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-20

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)

This image demonstrates that the process for developing a water clock. Additionally, describing us how to build your own water clock.

To commence with, there are several stages including water drops from the water tap into a plastic bottle afterward it goes into another plastic bottle drop by drop whose neck is cutted off. In the upper bottle, there is a straw with is attached at the neck of the bottle with a glue to maintain the surface of water. There is also a stand in the image, on which the upper bottle is tied with a tape on it. And on the bottom of the stand the lower bottle is placed which collects the water. This process keep on going and it builds an empty and repeat process for timing things.

In conclusion, this process keeps going on repeatedly and it becomes a water clock using water tap, two plastic bottles, straw and a stand.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the general subject and mention several relevant components, including the two bottles, straw, stand, glue and tape. However, the report only partially describes the process: it does not clearly explain the numbered operating stages, such as covering the hole, filling the upper bottle until water overflows, removing the finger, or marking the lower bottle to show levels per minute. The statement that the process “builds an empty and repeat process” is unclear and does not accurately convey the final instruction to empty and repeat it for timing. The overview also focuses on repetition rather than explaining how water flow and marked levels make the device function. Include the key stages in order and describe their purpose more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure: an opening, a paragraph describing the apparatus and process, and a concluding sentence. Sequencing phrases such as “To commence with” and “In conclusion” help signal movement through the report. However, the main paragraph combines construction details, water movement and the final operation without a clear progression through the diagram’s numbered stages. Some links are awkward or unclear, particularly “This process keep on going and it builds an empty and repeat process.” The opening also repeats the task’s purpose rather than giving a concise overview. Organise the report into a clear overview followed by the stages in sequence, using simple links such as “first,” “next” and “finally” accurately.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing the equipment, including “plastic bottle,” “straw,” “stand,” “glue” and “tape,” so the reader can identify the main objects. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear. “Developing a water clock” is less suitable than language describing how it is made, while “water drops from the water tap” does not clearly express the controlled flow shown. “Cutted off” and “builds an empty and repeat process” also make parts of the description difficult to understand. Use precise process vocabulary, including “attach,” “overflow,” “drip,” “calibration marks” and “repeat,” and check that each phrase describes the diagram’s action or component accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple sentences and longer structures, for example, “In the upper bottle, there is a straw…” and “on which the upper bottle is tied…”. However, attempts at more complex sentences are often faulty, and errors occur frequently. The opening is incomplete in structure: “This image demonstrates that the process for developing a water clock.” The next sentence, “Additionally, describing us how to build your own water clock,” is also a fragment. There are further problems with agreement and verb forms in “This process keep on going,” and “whose neck is cutted off.” Aim for complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check agreement, tense and participle forms. For example: “The upper bottle is attached to the stand with tape.”

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