Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-21

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 diagram shows the process of how to create water clock. The total procedure takes place into 7 major steps, starting from the tap water and finishes at measuring time. The very initial step is to make the tap on, and place the bottle under the tap until it reaches the level of straw. One thing to remember is that covers the hole tightly with your finger in order to prevent the water leakage. After these initial steps, wait for the water to reach the straw level that is glued with the water bottle. Once the water reaches the straw level and becomes constant, slightly move the finger away from the hole. Subsequently, the level of water drops because of the pressure inside the water bottle. The water droplets fall into the measuring cylinder that is placed beneath the water bottle. The final step is the repeation of the processes in order to measure the accurate time from the water clock. These described steps are quite helpful for measuring the time.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as a sequence and describe several key stages, including turning on the tap, covering the hole, allowing water to reach the straw, releasing the finger and repeating the process. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram says to fill the upper bottle until it overflows, then maintain a constant level; it does not say to place the bottle under the tap until it reaches the straw. The lower container is a plastic bottle with its neck cut off, rather than a measuring cylinder, and the diagram indicates that levels are marked to measure time. A clearer overview of how the apparatus works, alongside more precise coverage of these stages, would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The stages are presented in a generally logical order, and sequencing expressions such as “After these initial steps,” “Once,” “Subsequently” and “The final step” help the reader follow the process. The response also maintains a consistent focus on the water clock. However, it is written as one paragraph, so the overview and the detailed sequence are not clearly separated. Some links are also imprecise: “After these initial steps” does not clearly distinguish the filling stage from the earlier actions, and “These described steps” is a vague reference. Organising the report into an overview followed by a paragraph describing the stages would improve progression and make the connections between steps clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “procedure,” “tightly,” “droplets” and “pressure,” and the meaning is generally understandable. Some choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this diagram, however. “Measuring cylinder” misidentifies the lower bottle, while “repeation” is an incorrect word form; “repetition” or “repeat” would be appropriate. Phrases such as “make the tap on” and “water leakage” are also awkward in this context. Aim for precise, natural process language—for example, “turn on the tap,” “prevent water from escaping,” and “marked bottle”—and use the diagram’s labels rather than substituting a different piece of equipment.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple and more complex sentence forms, including time clauses such as “Once the water reaches the straw level” and a purpose clause beginning “in order to.” The sequence is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. In “how to create water clock,” the article is missing; “takes place into 7 major steps” uses an incorrect preposition and construction; and “One thing to remember is that covers the hole” lacks a clear subject. “The very initial step is to make the tap on” also has an awkward infinitive structure. Review articles, clause subjects and verb patterns, and use a consistent present tense for describing the process. These corrections would make the sentences more controlled and precise.

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