Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-10-31

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 image illustrates the procedure of inventing our own water clock involving seven several stages .

Overall , the process of building our own clock requires seven various steps starting from tap on and ending with empty and repeat process for timing things .

From the given diagram , it is clear that establishing a water clock reqiures numerous steps . Primarly , water tap is needed which tap must be turn on to run water . Then , a plastic bottle is attached to stand with the help of tape in which liquid is filled in required amount and hole of container should be closed with finger . Afterthat . fill top bottle to overflow through a small straw which is stick using glue from where drop by drop water falls down .Similarly , again another half plastic bottle attached to stand and keep just below up off the first bottle by making hole in the middle making level constant . Consequently ,by measuring and checking time per time let water fell dowm by taking finger away from hole in the other side checking time . In the end , empty the bottle and repeat the same method time and again until you grt the final results .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The report identifies the process as a sequence of seven stages and gives a relevant overview, from turning on the tap to emptying and repeating the process. It also includes several key features, such as attaching the upper bottle to a stand, using tape and glue, and allowing water to drip into a lower container. However, some stages are unclear or inaccurately described: the lower bottle is said to be attached to the stand, whereas it rests on the base, and the purpose of the straw as an overflow drain is not explained clearly. The calibration marks and the use of water levels to measure time are also only briefly covered. Describe the apparatus and each stage more precisely, especially how the constant level and timing marks work.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and a paragraph describing the procedure. The sequence is generally traceable, and connectors such as “Then,” “Consequently,” and “In the end” help signal progression. However, the long final paragraph combines several stages and apparatus details, making the order difficult to follow. Some links are mechanical or unclear, particularly “Similarly, again another half plastic bottle” and “by measuring and checking time per time.” Use separate sentences or clearer stage groupings, and refer consistently to the upper and lower bottles. This would make the progression easier to follow while retaining the useful chronological organisation already present.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some task-related vocabulary, including “stand,” “tape,” “glue,” “straw,” and “hole,” and attempts more formal wording such as “procedure” and “Consequently.” However, word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or unnatural: “inventing our own water clock” does not describe the diagram, “water tap” is less suitable than “tap,” and “drop by drop water falls down” is repetitive. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “reqiures,” “Primarly,” “dowm,” and “grt,” which reduce precision. Build a more reliable set of process verbs and technical terms, such as “assemble,” “secure,” “overflow,” and “mark,” and check spelling and word forms before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

There is an attempt to use both simple and more complex sentences, including a relative clause in “a plastic bottle is attached to stand with the help of tape in which liquid is filled.” However, several sentence patterns are faulty or incomplete, and these sometimes make the process hard to interpret. For example, “which tap must be turn on” has an incorrect verb form, while “Afterthat. fill top bottle to overflow” is not a complete sentence. Articles and prepositions are also inconsistently controlled, as in “attached to stand” and “in the middle making level constant.” Use complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and practise accurate passive forms such as “the bottle is attached” and “the tap is turned on.”

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