Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-30

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

HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN WATER CLOCK

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The illustration represents process for builling a water clock from sctrach. Overall, the water clock is made from different products which includes plastic bottle, tape, stand, straw, glue as well as, plastic bottle whoes neck is cutted off. The structure of clock uses a L shaped stand at the base plastic bottle whose head is removed is palced. At the top of stand a plastic bottle is fixed. The whole structure is placed under a tap

To commense with, turn the tap on. Water should fall directly in side the bottle, before filling the botlle there is a hole beneath the top plasticbottle covere that with placing a finger. let the bottle fill to the top there is a straw fixed below the opening of the bottle

On the other hand, water after filling will fall from the straw. After the water balened, remove the finger. Water fall in the half bottle use the level for per minute. Lastly, empty and repeat the process for timming things.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response identifies the diagram as a water-clock process and includes several relevant components, such as the stand, two bottles, straw, and tap. It also mentions the main sequence of turning on the tap, covering the hole, allowing water to collect, removing the finger, and repeating the process. However, some stages are unclear or inaccurately described: the straw is an overflow outlet, but the response says water falls from it after filling, while the diagram shows water dripping through the hole at the base into the lower bottle. The calibration step is also vague, and the purpose of the marked levels is not clearly explained. A clearer overview and more precise account of how the apparatus works would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure: an introduction and description of the apparatus are followed by paragraphs explaining the process. The sequence is partly signalled by phrases such as “To commence with” and “Lastly,” which helps the reader follow the broad order. However, progression is not consistently clear. The second paragraph combines covering the hole, filling the bottle, and describing the straw in a confusing sequence, while “On the other hand” does not express a contrast between the steps that follow. Some sentences are also joined or punctuated in ways that make the relationships between ideas difficult to follow. Use one paragraph for the setup and a clearly ordered paragraph for the stages, with accurate sequencing links such as “once,” “then,” and “finally.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some task-relevant vocabulary, including “stand,” “straw,” “hole,” “tap,” and “repeat the process,” so the basic subject is recognisable. However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors make parts harder to understand, including “builling,” “sctrach,” “botlle,” and “timming.” Some expressions are imprecise: “the water balened” does not clearly describe the constant water level, and “use the level for per minute” does not explain the calibration marks. Aim for accurate process vocabulary and standard spelling, and choose verbs that describe the diagram precisely, such as “drips,” “overflows,” and “mark.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentences, and the overall meaning can usually be inferred. However, grammatical errors are frequent, and some longer constructions are difficult to follow. For example, “The structure of clock uses a L shaped stand at the base plastic bottle whose head is removed is palced” lacks clear sentence structure and has an unclear relationship between the stand and bottle. Articles and agreement are also inconsistent, as in “process for builling” and “products which includes.” There are problems with verb forms and sentence boundaries in “let the bottle fill to the top there is a straw fixed.” Practise building accurate step-by-step sentences, using passive forms where appropriate: “The upper bottle is attached to the stand,” followed by “Water is allowed to fill it.”

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