Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-04
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 5.5)
The diagram illustrates the procedure of electricity creation in a hydroelectric power station during day and night.
Overall, this is evident that, the working of hydroelectric power station is different in day and in night. The water flows in a day time to generate electricity inside the power station, while during night time water flows during pumping outside the power station. The water intake into the dam is open at day time and closed at night time.
Dam takes water from river. In power station, there is a generator in which reversible turbines installed which helps to operate generator at day time and pump water into high-level reservoir at night time. Generator used power lines to transmit electricity to the national grid. The hydroelectric power station is build from high level to low level. The dam is build on the high side of the power station and low-level reservoir is build on low level.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the two distinct operational modes (day and night). However, the description is somewhat simplistic and lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band. For instance, the explanation of the 'reversible turbines' and the water flow between the high-level and low-level reservoirs is a bit repetitive and lacks precise technical terminology. While the main features are reported, the comparison between the two modes could be more effectively integrated to highlight the cyclical nature of the process. The overview is present but could be more comprehensive in summarizing the overall function of the station.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into three paragraphs, which provides a basic structure. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is limited and occasionally awkward, such as 'Overall, this is evident that,' which is grammatically incorrect and disrupts the flow. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and the transition between the description of the day/night cycle and the physical components of the station is abrupt. While the paragraphing is sufficient, the internal cohesion within paragraphs could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to connect the technical processes more smoothly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. The student relies on basic verbs like 'flows,' 'build,' and 'helps.' There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'electricity creation' (instead of 'generation') and 'is build' (which should be 'is built'). The use of technical terms is limited, and the phrasing is occasionally repetitive. To improve, the student should focus on using more precise collocations related to mechanical processes and energy production, and ensure that word forms (e.g., past participles) are used correctly in passive constructions.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Common issues include subject-verb agreement and passive voice construction, such as 'The hydroelectric power station is build' and 'generator in which reversible turbines installed.' Articles are also frequently misused or omitted, for example, 'in a day time' and 'at night time.' While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. A greater focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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