Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-05
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 5.0)
The given diagram illustrates how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station. It can be identified the power is generated in the Generator of the power station, which has power lines connecting to the national grid and the flow works through out day and night as during the day the generator operates and at night it pumps water into the high level reservoir, and it has a low level reservoir near it. Also, during the day the flow of the water helps to generate the electricity. It has a Dam near the High level reservoir which remains open during the daylight and once the daylight is gone it remains closed. Furthermore, Above the high level reservoir it can be observed that there is a River which is the main factor of water supply to each part of the generating the electricity using the hydroelectric energy of the the hydro electric power station.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main features of the hydroelectric power station, such as the reservoirs, the dam, and the generator. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks a clear, logical overview of the process. The explanation of the cycle (day vs. night) is a bit confused, and the connection between the river and the reservoirs could be more clearly articulated. While the main components are identified, the response lacks the analytical precision required for a higher band, as it reads more like a list of observations rather than a cohesive summary of a technical process.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is written as a single paragraph, which hinders the logical progression of information. While there is some attempt to use cohesive devices like 'Also' and 'Furthermore', the flow is disjointed. The sentences are often run-on or lack clear transitions between the different stages of the process. To improve, the student should group related information into distinct paragraphs—for example, one for the daytime generation process and one for the nighttime pumping process—and use a wider variety of linking words to connect ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'hydroelectric power station', 'reservoir', and 'national grid' used correctly. However, there is a lack of variety and some awkward phrasing, such as 'the flow works through out day and night' and 'once the daylight is gone'. The repetition of basic words like 'power' and 'generator' limits the lexical range. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise technical vocabulary and avoid repetitive sentence structures.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'It can be identified the power is generated', which is syntactically incorrect, and 'the the hydro electric power station', which contains a repetition error. There is a reliance on simple sentence structures, and the attempt at complex sentences often results in awkward phrasing or punctuation issues. The use of articles is inconsistent, and the subject-verb agreement is occasionally problematic. A greater focus on sentence variety and proofreading for basic errors is needed.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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