Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-07-24

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 7.0)

The diagram illustrates how electricity is produced from a hydroelectric power station. Overall, process involves various stages where water flow from High-level reservoir to water is pumped backed to the upper reservoir so that it can be used it again.

During daytime, river water is stored behind the high-level reservoir. The intake gate is opened, allowing water to flow through pipe towards the power station. As the water passes through the reversible turbines, they drive a generator to produce electricity. The electricity is them transmitted through power lines to national grid. After passing through the turbines, the water is collected in the Low-level reservoir.

At night, the totally process is reversed. The intake gate at the dam is closed, the reversible turbines operate as a pump instead of generators. Water from the low-level reservoir is pumped back through the same pipe to the high-level reservoir. This allows the water to be stored and reused for electricity generation the following day.

In conclusion, the hydroelectric power station uses a continuous cycle of water movement to generate electricity through generator during daytime and at night.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response successfully covers all key stages of the hydroelectric power generation process, including both the daytime generation phase and the nighttime pumping phase. The overview is clear and identifies the cyclical nature of the process. The main features are highlighted effectively, and the comparison between the two phases is well-integrated. The response is accurate and provides a logical summary of the provided diagram. To reach a higher band, ensure that all technical terms are used with complete precision and that the distinction between the two reservoirs is consistently maintained throughout the description.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is well-organized, with a clear introduction, body paragraphs for each phase, and a concluding summary. The progression of ideas is logical, moving from the daytime process to the nighttime reversal. Cohesive devices such as 'During daytime', 'After passing through', and 'At night' are used effectively to guide the reader. However, there are minor issues with referencing, such as 'the totally process', which slightly disrupts the flow. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the distinct stages of the process, contributing to the overall coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

The vocabulary is generally appropriate for a technical description, using terms like 'reversible turbines', 'intake gate', and 'national grid'. There are some minor errors in word choice and form, such as 'the totally process' instead of 'the total process' or 'the entire process', and 'them transmitted' instead of 'then transmitted'. Despite these minor slips, the range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the technical information clearly. The student demonstrates an ability to use topic-specific terminology, which is essential for this type of task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally clear, there are several noticeable errors, such as 'process involves' (missing article 'the'), 'flow from High-level reservoir' (missing article), and 'used it again' (redundant pronoun). Additionally, 'the electricity is them transmitted' contains a clear grammatical error. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. A greater focus on articles and subject-verb agreement would improve the accuracy of the writing.

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