Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-09

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)

In this article, we are going to discuss how electricity is produced in a Hydroelectric power station. To generate electicity, a Dam is required to store the water from the river using hgh-level reservoir. Then from Dam, the water is allowed to flow to power station in day time and alse during pumping, water goes to dam in night. Power station one main part, which is Generator. its role is to generate electricity in day time and in the night, pumps the water so that it can go back to the dam.

Outside the station, there is a low level reservoir which allows the water to flow out of power station unlike high level reservoir which allows to water to be entered into the system.

Further, there are power lines inherited from generator which contain the flow of electricty to National grid.

Over all, the electricty is generated from the mechanical motion of water from river.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main operating cycle: water is stored behind the dam, flows to the power station during the day, and is pumped back at night. You also mention the low-level reservoir and the connection from the generator to the national grid, so the response addresses the key stages. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the intake is open by day and closed at night, and the water flows from the high-level reservoir through the turbines to the low-level reservoir before being pumped back. The final statement about electricity coming from the river’s “mechanical motion” is imprecise. A clearer overview of the two-way cycle and more precise explanation of the turbines’ role would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a generally understandable sequence, moving from the dam and reservoirs to the power station and then the power lines. Paragraph breaks also separate some stages. However, the progression is not consistently clear: “Then from Dam” and “Outside the station” do not precisely show how the water moves through the system, and the day and night processes are compressed into one sentence. Linking expressions such as “Further” and “Over all” are used, but they do not always create a smooth relationship between ideas. Organise the description in the diagram’s order, using separate stages for daytime generation and nighttime pumping, and use clear references such as “this water” to connect each step.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “reservoir,” “generator,” “power lines,” and “National grid,” which helps communicate the subject. However, some word choices and collocations are imprecise, such as “water is allowed to flow to power station,” “power lines inherited from generator,” and “contain the flow of electricity.” Spelling errors in “electicity,” “hgh-level,” and “electricty” also reduce accuracy. Aim for standard process-description phrases such as “water flows through a conduit,” “the generator produces electricity,” and “power lines transmit electricity to the national grid.” More precise vocabulary would make the explanation clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the main meaning is usually recoverable. However, errors in sentence structure, articles, agreement, and punctuation occur across the response. For example, “Power station one main part, which is Generator” is missing a verb and has unclear clause structure; “its role is to generate electricity in day time and in the night, pumps the water” shifts awkwardly between clauses; and “which allows to water to be entered” has an incorrect grammatical pattern. Capitalisation and sentence boundaries are also inconsistent. Practise building complete clauses with a clear subject and verb, and check articles and agreement—for example, “The generator produces electricity by day, while the turbines pump water back at night.”

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.