Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-11-01

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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the seven key steps to make a water clock.

Overall, in order to make to water clock, a plastic bottle is filled with water until it overflows and a hole at the bottoem is covered with finger. When it is leveled, finger is removed and drops are collected in another plastic bottle, marked with lines represent a level which are filled per minute.

A plastic bottle is attached to stand with the help of tape and a hole is made in it, also a straw is connected with glue. Another plastic bottle is placed beneath it. First, water tap is turned on to fill bottle until it overflows and also drip from straw, meanwhile covered hole with finger till its level become constant.

After that finger is removed from hole and water start dripping slowly into another bottle which is marked by levels. Each level is filled per minute, when bottle filled it is again empty and repeat the process for timing things.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The report covers the main stages and gives a clear overall account: water is supplied to the upper bottle, the hole is initially covered, then water drips into a marked lower bottle and the process is repeated. This addresses the task well, and the overview identifies the central operating principle. Some details are less fully or accurately explained, however. The diagram shows the straw as an overflow drain and the lower bottle as having its neck cut off; these features are mentioned only briefly or not precisely. The statement that “each level is filled per minute” is also unclear: the diagram indicates that the levels on the receiving bottle represent minutes. More precise descriptions of the apparatus and how the markings measure time would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to the construction and operating stages. Sequencing expressions such as “First” and “After that” help the reader follow the process. However, the progression is not always smooth because construction details and operating instructions are combined in the same paragraph, and some links between steps are unclear. For example, “meanwhile covered hole with finger till its level become constant” compresses several actions, while the overview’s reference to a level “which are filled per minute” makes the relationship between the markings and time difficult to follow. Grouping the apparatus setup separately from the operating sequence, and using clearer references to the upper and lower bottles, would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary is sufficient to describe the basic process, with relevant terms such as “plastic bottle,” “stand,” “tape,” “straw,” “dripping,” and “marked with lines.” There is also some useful process language, including “overflows” and “repeat the process.” However, several word choices and collocations are imprecise or awkward, which limits clarity: “a hole … is covered with finger,” “another plastic bottle,” and “each level is filled per minute” do not describe the apparatus and measurement naturally. Spelling errors such as “bottoem” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise technical descriptions and natural collocations, for example, “cover the hole with a finger” and “mark the lower bottle at one-minute intervals.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including a relative clause (“which are filled per minute”) and a sequence joined with “and.” The overall meaning is generally recoverable, but grammatical control is inconsistent, and errors occur in basic sentence patterns as well as longer constructions. Examples include “in order to make to water clock,” “a hole … is covered with finger,” and “water start dripping,” where articles, verb forms, or agreement are missing or incorrect. The sentence beginning “A plastic bottle is attached…” also joins several actions without clear punctuation or structure. Practise accurate passive forms for describing a process, consistent present-tense verbs, and article use; then check each sentence for a clear subject and verb.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.