Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-13

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)

This diagram illustrates how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station. Firstly, a dam is built on the to river to store and control water. And high-level reservoir is made behind the wall. And there is an entry gate of dam called intake which is usually opened at daytime and closed at night time.

At daytime, when water flow with great speed through the river and hit with the turbines. And then this water spin with the turbines of generator to generate electricity. At night time, the flow of water in the stream is backward towards the dam because of pumping. During day when water flows towards the power station the reversible turbine operate the generator and electricity is harnessed. And then this electricity is fed to the power lines. Then the electricity is supplied to the national grid.

And during night, as the water is pumped back so power station is closed so low-level reservoir passes through turbines.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the hydroelectric power station, such as the dam, intake, turbines, and the cycle of electricity generation. However, the description is somewhat inaccurate in its interpretation of the diagram, particularly regarding the 'daytime' and 'nighttime' operations, which are not clearly supported by standard hydroelectric processes. The explanation of the water flow is confusing, and the distinction between the high-level and low-level reservoirs is not fully developed. To improve, ensure you accurately describe the mechanical process shown in the diagram rather than speculating on timing, and provide a clearer overview of the entire cycle.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, but the logical progression is hindered by repetitive sentence structures and awkward transitions. Many sentences begin with 'And', which creates a mechanical and simplistic flow. While there is an attempt to use time markers like 'At daytime' and 'At night time', the connection between ideas remains weak. The referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of the process. To improve, use a wider variety of cohesive devices such as 'subsequently', 'consequently', or 'in contrast' to link sentences and ideas more naturally.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. There is some repetition of basic terms like 'water', 'electricity', and 'turbine'. Phrases such as 'hit with the turbines' and 'spin with the turbines' are imprecise and demonstrate limited control over technical collocations. There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'on the to river'. To improve, incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to engineering processes, such as 'generate', 'harness', 'flow', and 'recirculate', and focus on using them in appropriate contexts.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, including issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'water flow with great speed', 'turbine operate') and article usage (e.g., 'on the to river', 'at daytime'). While the meaning is generally understandable, these recurring errors and the lack of complex sentence structures limit the score. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and attempt to combine simple sentences into more complex ones using relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions to demonstrate a wider range of grammatical control.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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