Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-22

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 5.5)

The diagram illustrates the process for creating a water clock. The simple method requires seven basic steps to a create water clock.

To create a water clock all you need just few things like, a source for water, a tape, a straw, two plastic bottles, glue, and a stand.

The 1st step of process needs a source of water. The water will be stored in a plastic bottle at the top of the stand; which is attached to a stand with help of tape. The straw then will be connected to the plastic bottle using glue, which will drop excess amount of water outside of the bottle. The 2nd plastic bottle without neck will be at the base of the stand and water will be transfered to it by creating a small hole in 1st bottle. The mechanical structure of water clock is ready.

The process revolves around following seven stages,

1 tap on

2 cover the hole with finger

3 fill top bottle to overflow

4 level constant

5 finger away from hole

6 levels per minute

7 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 components, including the stand, bottles, straw and glue. You also reproduce the seven stage labels, so the reader can see the intended sequence. However, the report only partly explains how the stages work: it does not clearly describe the tap being turned on, the upper bottle being filled until water overflows, or the constant water level and the markings used to measure time. The statement that the hole is created during the process is not shown; the diagram presents water dripping through a hole at the bottle’s base. A clearer overview of the apparatus and its timing function, followed by an accurate explanation of the stages, would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic structure: an introduction, a list of materials, a paragraph about assembling the apparatus, and a numbered list of stages. This makes some information easy to locate. However, the progression is not fully clear because the assembly paragraph describes the clock as ready before the numbered stages begin, without explaining how those stages connect to the earlier description. The numbered list is copied as short labels rather than developed into connected process steps, and phrases such as “The process revolves around following seven stages” do little to guide the reader. Use paragraphs to distinguish construction from operation, and connect each stage with clear sequencing language such as “Once the bottles are in place” and “After the water reaches the overflow level.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant task vocabulary, including “stand,” “straw,” “overflow,” “base” and “stages,” which helps communicate the subject. However, the range is limited and some expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “source for water,” “drop excess amount of water outside” and “mechanical structure.” The repeated use of “plastic bottle” is understandable but could be made more precise by distinguishing the upper bottle from the lower, neckless container. There are also spelling and word-form errors, including “transfered” and “1st.” Choose concise process vocabulary and accurate collocations—for example, describe water as “draining through the straw” or “dripping into the lower container”—to make the report clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, but control is uneven and errors recur. For example, “The simple method requires seven basic steps to a create water clock” has an incorrect article and word order, while “The water will be stored …; which is attached” uses a faulty clause connection. In “The 2nd plastic bottle … and water will be transfered to it,” the sentence structure is incomplete and the passive form is inaccurate. The list also lacks consistent sentence punctuation. Aim for complete, clearly structured sentences and use a consistent present simple for describing a diagram: “The upper bottle is attached to the stand, and water flows into the lower bottle.” Check articles, passive forms and clause boundaries during revision.

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