Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The given diagram illustrates the process of electricity production in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, it is clear that the the process of electricity generation is a cyclic process that involves multiple stages, flowing water from high-level reservoir to low-level reservoir and vice-versa.

Looking at the diagram in more detail, a dam is constructed a little far from the river, which created a high-level reservoir and there is a intake besides the dam that is oppened in day and closed at night. Then the water is flowed through the narrow channel to produce electricity during day time. Next, the reversible turbines in power station that operate generator in day using the flow of water to produce electricity and the produced electricity is gone into the national grid through power lines to reach the consumers and the water is fell in the low-level reservoir.

Furthermore, the water is pumped at night using the turbines in reverse way from low-level reservoir to high-level reservoir.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response covers the main features of the diagram, including the day-time electricity generation and the night-time pumping process. However, the description is somewhat simplistic. For instance, the explanation of the 'intake' and the 'dam' lacks precision, and the relationship between the components could be more clearly articulated. While the main stages are identified, the response would benefit from a more detailed analysis of the flow and the specific function of the reversible turbines. It addresses the task requirements adequately but lacks the depth of analysis required for a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Looking at the diagram in more detail', 'Then', 'Next', and 'Furthermore' are used to link ideas. However, some of these transitions feel a bit mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, though the flow between sentences could be smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate for a process description, and the progression of information from the general overview to the specific stages is logical.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'hydroelectric power station', 'reservoir', 'reversible turbines', and 'national grid'. However, there are some inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, such as 'a little far from the river', 'is flowed', and 'is gone into'. These errors do not impede communication, but they demonstrate a limited range of vocabulary. To improve, you should focus on more precise collocations and avoid repetitive or informal phrasing when describing technical processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'the the process' (repetition), 'is flowed' (incorrect passive voice), 'is oppened' (spelling and passive voice error), and 'water is fell' (incorrect verb form). While these errors are frequent, they rarely impede the reader's understanding of the process. To reach a higher band, you need to improve your control over passive voice constructions and verb tenses, as well as reduce the frequency of basic grammatical slips.

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