Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-07

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The diagram illustrates is the electricity generation in a hydroelectric power station.

Primarily focuses on how the water flow creates electricity passing through a dam.

Firstly we can see that the water of the main river gets collected in a high level reservoir which is blocked by a strong concreate wall which is constructed as a dam in front of the water flow.By storing it and opeing it is an ongoing process of day time and night time by which the full process is controlled daily.On day time it is opened and in night it is closed.So,after the dam is opened it creates water flow to generate electricity the water flow goes to a small reversible turbines.And on day it then goes to the generator that creates current then passes through a small pipeline to nation grid.

Secondly,from the tubines in day time the water flow passes right wards to a low level reservoir and in the night full process is reverse wards like from the reservoir it goes to turbines and then from turbines it goes to pumping then in night the dam is closed.

Overall, that is the process how electricity is generated through a hydroelectric power station and electricity is transmitted.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main subject and describe the broad cycle: water moves from the high-level reservoir through turbines, reaches the low-level reservoir, and is pumped back at night. You also mention the generator and transmission to the national grid. However, the account is only partly complete and some details are unclear or inaccurate. For example, the diagram shows the intake open during the day and closed at night, but the response says the dam itself is opened and closed. The daytime route to the low-level reservoir and the nighttime reverse flow are mentioned, but the role of the reversible turbines in pumping is not explained clearly. A more precise overview of the two operating modes and a clearer account of each stage would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure, with an opening, two process paragraphs beginning “Firstly” and “Secondly,” and a concluding sentence. The sequence is generally understandable, especially the movement from the reservoir to the turbines and then back at night. However, progression is not consistently clear: the first paragraph combines reservoir storage, intake operation, generation, and transmission in a long sequence, while the second repeats some information without clearly distinguishing the two cycles. Linking phrases such as “So” and “then” are used mechanically, and references such as “it” and “the full process” are not always precise. Organise the description into a clear daytime sequence followed by the nighttime cycle, using explicit stage links and paragraphing to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “high level reservoir,” “reversible turbines,” “generator,” and “low level reservoir,” so the topic is recognisable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the process difficult to follow. For instance, “small pipeline” does not accurately describe the power lines carrying electricity, and “the water flow goes to a small reversible turbines” is imprecise. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “concreate,” “opeing,” and “tubines.” Aim for accurate technical terms and avoid unnecessary descriptions such as “strong” or “small” when the diagram does not provide that information. More precise verbs such as “flows,” “drives,” and “is transmitted” would improve clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to connect stages using longer sentences, but the range of structures is limited and complex sentences are often faulty. The opening, “The diagram illustrates is the electricity generation,” contains an unnecessary verb, while “Primarily focuses on…” is a sentence fragment without a clear subject. Other examples include “the water of the main river gets collected” and “By storing it and opeing it is an ongoing process,” where sentence structure and verb forms make the meaning hard to follow. Articles, plurals, and punctuation are also inconsistent, as in “a small reversible turbines” and the missing spaces after full stops. Use complete subject–verb sentences, check agreement and articles, and separate each process stage into shorter sentences before attempting more complex structures.

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