Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-28

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)

The diagram given below shoes how to build your own water clock. There ar 7 steps to build water clock.We will discuss step by step the whole procedure of how we can build our own water clock. The water clock is made of two bottles, a stand tape and a straw. On the top, there is a tap that is throwing water drops in a bottle and there is another bottle under that first bottle. There is a hole in first bottle that is pouring water in second bottle that is made up of plastic. There is a straw connected to first bottle.

At the first step, the tap is pouring water in the plastic bottle. In the second step, there is s hole under the first bottle, that is needed to be covered with. In the third step, filling the first bottle to overflow.In the fourth step, checking the level constant of the plastic bottle.In the fifth step, putting finger away from hole. In sixth step, checking the levels per minute that if there is something wrong.In the seventh and last step, the bottles are being emptyed and repeat process for timing things. These are the steps that how to build your own water clock.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram as a seven-stage process and mention several relevant components, including the two bottles, stand, straw, tap and water flowing into the lower bottle. However, the account only partially describes how the clock is assembled and used. For example, you do not explain that the upper bottle is fixed to the stand with tape, that the straw is glued near its top as an overflow drain, or that the lower bottle has its neck cut off and is marked with calibration lines. Some stages are also unclear or misinterpreted: stage four is that the water level remains constant, while stage six concerns measuring levels per minute, not checking whether something is wrong. A clearer overview and more accurate explanation of the key features would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence: it introduces the apparatus, then describes the numbered stages in order, using phrases such as “At the first step” and “In the seventh and last step.” This helps the reader follow the general process. However, the opening repeats the purpose (“how to build your own water clock”) and the final sentence repeats that these are the steps, so the report lacks a concise overview. Several stage descriptions run together, particularly “overflow.In the fourth step” and “bottle.In the fifth step,” which interrupts the flow. Grouping the equipment and construction details separately from the operating stages, and using clearer sentence boundaries and references, would make the progression more coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-relevant vocabulary, including “plastic bottle,” “stand,” “straw,” “overflow” and “hole,” so the reader can identify the main objects and actions. However, the range is limited and several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “the tap is pouring water,” “checking the level constant,” and “the bottles are being emptyed.” The repeated use of “bottle” and “step” also makes the description less varied. More precise process vocabulary would help distinguish construction from operation—for example, describing the upper bottle as attached to the stand and the lower bottle as marked with level lines. Check spelling and word forms as well, including “shows,” “are” and “emptied.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

Most sentences use simple structures, and the numbered sequence gives you a useful framework for describing the process. However, grammatical errors occur frequently and sometimes make the intended action unclear. Examples include “There ar 7 steps,” “there is s hole,” and “that is needed to be covered with,” where spelling aside, the sentence structure and article or pronoun use are faulty. The phrase “In sixth step” needs an article, while “the bottles are being emptyed and repeat process” shifts awkwardly between passive and active forms. Sentence boundaries are also missing after “overflow” and “bottle.” Practise forming complete passive instructions and checking articles, verb forms and punctuation in each stage.

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