Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-13

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 4.5)

The diagram benethe illustrates that how current is created in a hyderoelectric power station.

overall,for the generating of electricity in hyderoelectric power station there will be big Dam required and in power station there will be a generator.

To begain with that we will start from river we need a big dam to store that river water which will be high level dam means which can store high level of water after that is intake which will be closed and open at night and day.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.5

The response identifies the topic and mentions the dam, reservoir and intake, so it shows some awareness of the process. However, it does not provide a meaningful overview of the full cycle or describe the key stages after water reaches the intake: daytime flow through the turbines to generate electricity, transmission to the national grid, and nighttime pumping back to the high-level reservoir. It also reverses the intake schedule, saying it is “closed and open at night and day,” whereas it is open during the day and closed at night. The response is substantially under the required 150 words, leaving the task only minimally covered. To improve, summarise the day/night cycle and report the main stages accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an opening sentence is followed by an overall statement and then a sequence beginning with “To begin with.” This gives the reader a simple starting point. However, the progression stops after the intake, so the process is not developed into a complete account, and the relationship between the reservoir, dam and intake is not always clear. Linking is limited, with “after that” doing most of the work, while the long final sentence combines several ideas without clear boundaries. Use separate sentences or paragraphs for the overview, daytime operation and nighttime pumping, and connect each stage with precise sequencing language such as “next,” “during the day” and “at night.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses a small set of relevant process terms, including “river,” “dam,” “intake,” “high level” and “generator,” which helps establish the subject. However, the vocabulary range is limited and some choices are inaccurate or imprecise: “current is created” is not a natural description of electricity generation, and “high level dam” confuses the reservoir with the dam. Several spelling errors, including “benethe,” “hyderoelectric” and “begain,” are noticeable and reduce clarity. Build a more accurate set of terms for the stages, such as “reservoir,” “water flows through the turbines,” “electricity is transmitted” and “water is pumped back.” Check spelling and use standard forms such as “hydroelectric” and “begin.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both a simple opening and longer sentences using clauses, for example, “To begin with that we will start from river…” This shows an effort to connect ideas, but the structures are often faulty and the range remains limited. The opening has an unnecessary “that” after “illustrates,” and the final sentence lacks clear clause boundaries. Articles and prepositions are also missing or awkward in phrases such as “from river” and “in power station”; the intake sentence has unclear coordination of “closed” and “open.” Aim for controlled, complete sentences: “The river feeds the high-level reservoir. During the day, water passes through the turbines…” Practising articles, clause structure and punctuation will make the process easier to follow.

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

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