Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

The given diagram show the seven different stages of making a water clock.

Initially, the first step in making water clock the plastic bottle is raped with tape and hold with steel stand and on ther side of the bottle the straw is insert in the bottle. Futhermore, bottle is filled with glue. The bottle is cut from the middle and the drops of the glue is slowly pass to the cutted bottle. Moreover, the first bottle which holds the straw its hole cover with the finger no air is pass from the straw.

At every step check the level because the level must be constant in every stage. when the first bottle is totally empty then repeat the process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You identify that the diagram has seven stages and mention some relevant components, including the stand, straw, bottles and repeated use. However, several key details are misreported: the upper bottle is filled with water, not glue, and the water—not glue—drips into the lower bottle. The lower bottle is described as having its neck cut off, rather than being cut “from the middle.” The sequence is also unclear: covering the hole with a finger happens before filling the upper bottle, and the finger is then removed so the water can flow. The constant level and calibration marks per minute are not clearly explained. The response is also below the required 150 words; develop the stages and describe the apparatus more accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic chronological shape, beginning with the apparatus and ending with checking the level and repeating the process. Connectors such as “Initially,” “Furthermore” and “Moreover” show an attempt to guide the reader. However, the stages are not consistently presented in the diagram’s order, and the long opening description combines several actions without clear boundaries. The relationship between the straw, the hole and the two bottles is difficult to follow, while “At every step” does not clearly connect to the calibration stage. Organise the report into an introduction, an overview of the process, and a sequence of clearly separated stages. Use time markers such as “Next” and “Finally” to make the progression easier to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

You use some task-related vocabulary, including “stages,” “plastic bottle,” “straw,” “stand” and “level,” which helps identify the equipment and process. However, inaccurate word choices often obscure the meaning: “glue” is used where the diagram shows water, and “the drops of the glue” does not describe the flow correctly. There are also spelling errors such as “raped,” “ther” and “Futhermore,” and awkward expressions including “hold with steel stand” and “cutted bottle.” Aim for precise process vocabulary and check spelling and collocations. Terms such as “attach,” “overflow,” “drip” and “calibration marks” would help describe the diagram more accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the final sentence, “when the first bottle is totally empty then repeat the process,” communicates the general idea. However, errors in sentence structure, verb forms, agreement and articles are frequent enough to make several stages hard to understand. For example, “The given diagram show” needs subject–verb agreement, while “the straw is insert” and “the drops … is slowly pass” use incorrect verb forms. The opening sentence also lacks a clear grammatical structure, and “when” should begin a new sentence with a capital letter. Practise describing each action with a clear subject and passive form, such as “The bottle is attached to the stand” and “Water drips into the lower bottle.”

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