Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The diagram below illustrates the process for making a water clock. This process divided into seven stages.
Overall, this map shows the different steps for making a water clock. To begin with, we need some equipments to complete this process such as a plastic bottle, straw, glue, tape, stand and plastic bottle without neck.
In the first, stage we can tap on and after this in the second step we can cover the hole of the bottle with finger. Moreover we can fill rop bottle to overflow in the 3rd stage and then in the 4th step we should check the level of the water. In addition, we can finger away from the hole of the bottle for dropping water in 5th grade. In the 6th step we should check the levels of water per minute while in last 7th stage we should check the in below bottle that empty and repeat process for timing things.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
You identify the subject and indicate that the process has seven stages, then cover the sequence from turning on the tap to repeating the process. This gives the report a relevant foundation. However, the description is only partly complete: the opening refers to equipment, but does not explain how the upper bottle is fixed to the stand, how the straw functions as an overflow drain, or how water passes into the lower bottle, where the markings are made. Some stages are also unclear or inaccurate, especially “check the level of the water” and “check the in below bottle.” To strengthen the report, give a clear overview of how the apparatus works and describe the key construction details as well as the numbered stages.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response has a basic structure: an introduction, a brief overview, and a sequence of stages. The use of “To begin with,” “Moreover,” “In addition,” and “while” helps signal order, and the stages are generally presented in the correct sequence. However, the overview repeats the introduction rather than summarising the process, and the long final paragraph makes the steps difficult to follow. Some links are mechanical or do not clarify the relationship between actions; for example, “In addition, we can finger away” does not clearly connect to the previous step. Organise the stages into shorter, clearly separated sentences and use transitions that express the actual sequence, such as “Once the bottle is full, the finger is removed.”
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “straw,” “overflow,” “hole,” and “per minute,” so the reader can recognise the general topic. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms make the description difficult to understand. “Map” is not suitable for a process diagram, “equipments” is not the correct form, and “rop bottle” appears to be an inaccurate phrase for the upper bottle. Expressions such as “finger away” and “check the in below bottle” do not convey the intended actions clearly. Use precise terms for the apparatus and actions, and avoid repeating “step” and “stage” when more specific process verbs can be used.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response attempts to use both simple sentences and longer sentences with sequencing and linking clauses, as in “In the 6th step … while in last 7th stage…”. However, errors are frequent, and some sentence patterns are faulty enough to make the actions unclear. For example, “This process divided into seven stages” is missing an auxiliary verb, while “we can finger away” lacks a correctly formed passive or imperative construction. Articles and prepositions are also often missing or inaccurate, as in “with finger” and “in last 7th stage.” Aim for clear, controlled sentences such as “In the second stage, the hole is covered with a finger.” Check verb forms, articles, and sentence boundaries before submitting.
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