Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · IELTS Complete Catalyst · 2026-11-04

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 given diagram illustrates the process for making a water clock.

Overall, it can be observed at a glance that this process involves seven stages from tapping on the water to culminating the water in a plastic bottle.

In initial stage, the water is collected from a tap in a plastic bottle.On the upper side of bottle there is a hole in which a straw is attached and there is a hole at the bottom of the bottle where the water is drizzling slowly.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

You identify the diagram as a water-clock process and note that it has seven stages, which gives the report a relevant starting point. However, the description is very incomplete: it mentions the tap, upper bottle, straw and dripping water, but does not explain the remaining stages, including covering and uncovering the hole, the constant water level, marking levels per minute, or repeating the process to time events. The overview’s phrase “culminating the water in a plastic bottle” does not accurately summarise the process. The response also falls 66 words short of the 150-word minimum, leaving the task only minimally addressed. Describe the apparatus and sequence more fully, and include a clear, accurate overview.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic overall order: an introductory sentence, an overview, and then a detail about the initial stage. This makes the topic and intended sequence reasonably easy to identify. However, the report ends before it develops a progression through the stages, and the single detail paragraph does not organise the apparatus and process into a complete account. Linking is also sparse; “Overall” and “In initial stage” are the only clear transitions. Build a paragraph around the equipment and setup, then describe the stages in sequence using links such as “Once the bottle is full” and “Finally.” This would create clearer progression and stronger cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use several relevant terms, including “water clock,” “plastic bottle,” “tap,” “straw,” and “drizzling,” so the reader can recognise the subject and some components. There is also an attempt at more descriptive wording in “culminating.” However, some choices are unnatural or imprecise: “culminating the water in a plastic bottle” does not convey the final stage, and “water is collected from a tap” is less precise than describing the bottle being filled. “Drizzling slowly” is also an awkward description of water flowing through the hole. Use accurate process vocabulary such as “flows,” “drains,” “overflow,” and “mark the water level,” and ensure each term matches the diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes a simple opening and an overview sentence with a subordinate clause, showing some variety in sentence construction. The main ideas remain understandable, but grammatical control is uneven. For example, “In initial stage” is missing an article, and “On the upper side of bottle” also needs an article before “bottle.” The sentence beginning “In initial stage” runs directly into “On the upper side” without a space after the full stop, and the long final sentence would be clearer if divided or structured more carefully. Practise accurate article use and punctuation, and use a range of clear sentence patterns to explain each stage without overloading one sentence.

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