Band 7.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-07-27

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

Overall, it is evident that the process consists of eight stages, starting with water stored in high-level reservoir and ending with electricity generation and transmission to the national grid. In addition the water is then pumped back to the high-level reservoir, allowing the cycle to continue.

In detail, the river water flows towards the high-level reservoir, where the water is stored for the electricity generation process. After that, the dam doors are opened during the daytime, allowing water to flow through the dam, and are closed at night. During the daytime, the increased flow of water moves down towards the reversible turbines, which operate as generators in the power station. Next, the generator produces electricity, which is then transmitted through the power lines to the national. During the night, the water is pumped back from the low-reservoir to the high-reservoir through the reversible turbines.

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 outlined the cycle from the high-level reservoir through to electricity generation and the return pumping process. The overview is effective in summarizing the cyclical nature of the system. However, to reach a higher band, ensure that all key components are described with more precision. For instance, the distinction between the 'daytime' and 'nighttime' phases is well-captured, but the description of the 'reversible turbines' could be slightly more detailed to explain their dual function more explicitly. Overall, the task is addressed well and all key stages are covered.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and a detailed body paragraph. The progression of ideas is easy to follow, moving chronologically through the stages of the process. You have used cohesive devices such as 'In addition', 'After that', 'During the daytime', and 'Next' to link sentences effectively. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the process description. To improve further, try to vary your cohesive devices slightly more to avoid a repetitive structure, and ensure that referencing (e.g., 'the national') is complete, as 'the national' is missing a noun like 'grid'.

Lexical Resource — Band 7.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including terms like 'hydroelectric power station', 'reservoir', 'reversible turbines', and 'transmitted'. The vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for the context of a technical process diagram. There are no significant spelling errors, and the word choices are precise enough to convey the intended meaning clearly. To move into the higher bands, you could incorporate more sophisticated collocations or technical synonyms to demonstrate a wider range, such as using 'facilitating' instead of 'allowing' or 'conveyed' instead of 'transmitted'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.5

The response demonstrates a good control of grammatical structures. You have successfully used a mix of simple and complex sentences, such as 'the water is stored for the electricity generation process' and 'the water is pumped back from the low-reservoir to the high-reservoir through the reversible turbines'. While there is a minor error in 'to the national' (missing the noun 'grid'), the majority of your sentences are error-free. Punctuation is generally accurate, and the tense usage is consistent throughout the description. The level of accuracy is high, and the minor slips do not impede communication.

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