Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-26

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 given below is showing the development of water clock. The diagram includes a tap, a plastic bottle attached with stand, straw and one other plastic bottle placed on stand.

This diagram shows build up of water clock as when tap on , the plastic bottle fill with water followed by a straw attached with bottle. There is a hole beneath the bottle from where water drops will consistently run down in other plastic bottle which is mentioned with a scale of levels per minute.

So, diagram shows a proper phenomenon of water clock in which firstly we fill the upper plastic bottle with water tap to an overflow level. A straw is attached to this bottle with glue to manage the overflow of water. If overflow occurs water will leave the container from the straw. the hole present under the plastic bottle could be covered with finger. other plastic bottle has a scale of levels per minute. By removing finger from hole water will leave the container in dropwise manner. when drop will stipp measure levels per minute. and for other timing measurements , empty the glass and repeat the process in same way.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response identifies the main apparatus and describes the broad sequence: water enters the upper bottle, passes through a hole into the lower bottle, and the process can be repeated. It also correctly mentions the straw as an overflow outlet and the finger covering the hole. However, the account does not clearly explain several key stages, especially that the upper bottle is filled until water overflows and the water level is kept constant before timing begins. The calibration marks on the lower bottle are described vaguely as a “scale of levels per minute,” and the final measurement stage is unclear. A more complete, step-by-step account of how the marks are made and used would make the report more fully address the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some organisation: the response first introduces the equipment, then describes the water flow and later returns to the operating steps. However, the progression is not consistently clear because the same information is repeated in the second and third paragraphs, and the sequence of actions is difficult to follow. For example, the opening says the bottle is filled, while the final paragraph restarts with “firstly we fill” and then revisits the straw and hole. Linking phrases such as “So” and “when” do not always show the relationship between stages accurately. Presenting the process in chronological order, with one paragraph for construction and another for operation, would improve the overall progression and reduce repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses some relevant vocabulary, including “overflow,” “attached,” “hole,” “scale,” and “dropwise,” so the reader can recognise the main components and actions. However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural for a process report, such as “development of water clock,” “build up of water clock,” and “proper phenomenon.” “Glass” is also used for the lower plastic bottle, which makes the equipment less precise. There are noticeable spelling and word-form problems, including “stipp” and “mentioned with a scale.” Aim for accurate process vocabulary and natural collocations, for example “construct a water clock,” “the lower bottle is marked with calibration lines,” and “water drips into the container.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentences, but grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make the sequence hard to understand. Examples include “The diagram … is showing,” “when tap on,” and “the plastic bottle fill with water,” where verb forms and sentence structure are incomplete or incorrect. Articles and agreement are also inconsistent, as in “a hole beneath the bottle from where water drops will consistently run down in other plastic bottle.” Punctuation and capitalisation need attention: “the straw” begins a sentence with a lowercase letter, and commas are missing around introductory clauses. Practise forming complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check tense and agreement when describing each stage.

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