Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The diagram illustrates a process of producing steps of electricity in a hydroelectric power station.
The machine that is producing electricity is solely worked under water, thus the river water is generated in power station with the help of reversible turbines and producing national grid.
The river water flow down to high-level reversoir while dam is set there to narrow the pipe. The pipe's main role is to open at daytime and be closed at nighttime. At daytime the flow of water to generate electricity is pumped down to the generator and operate generator. At nighttime the water that pumped down will be pushed up to low-level reservoir section located past the generator. Generater produce power lines with help of reversible turbines that are swifting underwater and transform it into natianal grid.
The hydroelectric power station has based a precision machine under river that works with source of water to produce electricity.
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 attempts to describe the hydroelectric power station process, but it fails to accurately convey the mechanics shown in the diagram. The description of the water flow between the high-level and low-level reservoirs is confusing and factually inaccurate based on the provided visual. Key features, such as the intake, the role of the dam, and the power transmission to the national grid, are mentioned but not clearly explained or linked. The summary lacks a clear overview of the process, and the information provided is often contradictory, such as the claim that the machine is 'solely worked under water' and the confusing explanation of the pumping cycle. Consequently, the response does not fully address the requirements of the task.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the logical flow within them is weak. The transition between the daytime and nighttime operations is disjointed, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of events. Cohesive devices are used in a mechanical and sometimes incorrect way, such as 'thus the river water is generated'. The referencing is often unclear, particularly when referring to 'the machine' or 'the generator', which makes the progression of ideas feel fragmented. The overall structure lacks the necessary cohesion to present the process clearly and logically.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary range is limited and often used inaccurately. There are several instances of word-choice errors that impede clarity, such as 'producing steps of electricity', 'swifting underwater', and 'river water is generated in power station'. The term 'reversoir' is misspelled, and the phrasing 'precision machine' is vague. While the student attempts to use technical terms like 'reversible turbines' and 'national grid', the surrounding context is often imprecise, which limits the effectiveness of the communication. A more precise and varied vocabulary is needed to describe technical processes accurately.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally cause difficulty for the reader. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('Generater produce power lines'), incorrect verb forms ('water that pumped down'), and awkward sentence structures ('The hydroelectric power station has based a precision machine'). The use of articles and prepositions is also inconsistent throughout the text. While there is an attempt to use complex sentences, they are often faulty, leading to a lack of clarity. The majority of sentences contain errors, which prevents the writing from reaching a higher band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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