Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-11

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 4.0)

The diagram we see that how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station.

At first we want to see that the river , that is more essential for hydroelectric power station. actually, water enter the power station when generetor are started. So that's why water is more essential.

Secondly we enter then we see High-level reservoir that is open in day closed at night.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 2.5

The response identifies the topic as electricity generation in a hydroelectric power station and mentions the river and high-level reservoir, so it makes a limited attempt to describe the diagram. However, it does not provide an overview of the complete process or explain the key day-and-night cycle. The statement that the reservoir is “open in day closed at night” misreads the diagram: it is the intake that opens during the day and closes at night. The generator, turbines, low-level reservoir, power lines and pumping stage are not described. The response is also substantially below the required 150 words, which leaves the task very incomplete. To improve, summarise the full sequence and accurately contrast daytime generation with nighttime pumping.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5

There is a basic attempt to order information using “At first” and “Secondly,” and the reader can identify two points the writer intends to make. However, the response stops after the second point, so it has no clear progression through the process or concluding overview. The opening, “The diagram we see that how…,” does not establish the description clearly, and the shift from the river to “we enter” is confusing. The explanation that water is essential repeats the same idea rather than linking stages. Organise the account into a brief introduction and logically ordered process stages, using clear links such as “Next,” “During the day,” and “At night.”

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The response uses a few relevant terms from the diagram, including “river,” “hydroelectric power station,” and “High-level reservoir,” showing some topic vocabulary. However, the range is very limited, and several choices or forms are inaccurate or awkward: “generetor” is misspelled, “we enter” does not express the intended process, and “more essential” is an unnatural way to describe the role of water. Repetition of “water” and “see” also limits precision. Build a small set of accurate process terms—such as “intake,” “turbine,” “generator,” “flow,” and “reservoir”—and use verbs such as “flows,” “drives,” and “is pumped” to describe the stages.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts simple sentences and a sequence marker, but grammatical control is inconsistent. For example, “The diagram we see that how electricity is generated” has an incorrect clause structure; “water enter” has subject–verb disagreement; and “when generetor are started” has an incorrect verb form and agreement. The phrase “open in day closed at night” also lacks the grammatical structure needed to express the contrast clearly. Punctuation is awkward, with spaces before commas and a run-on feel in places. Practise complete process sentences, for example, “During the day, water flows through the intake and turns the turbines,” and check agreement, articles, and verb forms.

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