Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-07-25

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 7.5)

The given illustration displays the procedure of the generation of electric power in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, it can be seen that the energy from the river's waves is used to generate electricity in a power station by the usage of a generator. Additionally, the generation of electricity takes place during the day whereas during the night water is pumped back into the high-level reservoir, and the cycle continues to repeats.

From one end the river flows into the high-level reservior which has a dam installed at the other end; the dam's gates open during the day to give way to the water to flow towards the power station. In the station, the wave energy allows the turbines to rotate for the smooth functioning of the generator.

Consequently, this leads to the production of electricity which is then distributed nationwide via the national grid system. The water from the high level-reservoir moves to the low-level reservoir. During the night, the water makes it way from the low-level reservoir to the reversible turbines which aid the movement of water against gravity back to the high level-reservoir by pumping the water.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the hydroelectric power station process. You have clearly described the two-stage cycle (daytime generation and nighttime pumping). However, there is a slight inaccuracy in your description: you refer to 'river's waves,' whereas the diagram depicts a river flow and reservoir system, not wave energy. While the overall process is clear, ensuring technical accuracy regarding the source of energy is important for a higher band. You have covered all parts of the task well, providing a logical summary of the mechanical stages involved.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 8.0

The essay is logically organized with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological flow of the process. You use cohesive devices such as 'Additionally,' 'Consequently,' and 'During the night' to link ideas effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed description. The progression of information is smooth, and the relationship between the high-level and low-level reservoirs is clearly explained, making the text easy to follow throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'hydroelectric power station,' 'reservoir,' 'reversible turbines,' and 'national grid system.' There are minor issues with word choice, such as 'river's waves' (which is technically incorrect for this type of dam) and 'cycle continues to repeats' (a grammatical error). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the process clearly, incorporating more precise technical collocations would elevate the score further.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'the dam's gates open during the day to give way to the water to flow towards the power station.' There are some minor grammatical slips, such as 'cycle continues to repeats' (should be 'repeat') and 'makes it way' (should be 'makes its way'). However, these errors are infrequent and do not impede communication. The majority of your sentences are clear and well-structured, showing a good level of control over basic and intermediate grammar.

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