Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-15
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)
Task 1
The given picture illustrates the production of electricity in a hydroelectric power station.
Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the process begin from collecting water from rivers ,sent to power station and culminating at electricity providing to National grid.
To commence with, firstly huge amount of water collecting from rivers with the help of dam, which is called high-level reservoir. Therefore, water intake through turbines to the power station in day time as well as flow of water is important to generate electricity.
Moving towards, generator is used in power station to generate electricity via water and sent to National grid with the help of power lines. In addition, the over water then sent to low-level reservoir. The process is capable in day time, but in night it shows reverse trend and the intake of water is closed in night
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you have identified the main features of the hydroelectric process, the description is somewhat superficial. You mention the 'high-level reservoir' and 'turbines' but fail to clearly explain the cyclical nature of the process or the specific mechanical transition between the day and night phases. The summary is underdeveloped, and the lack of sufficient length prevents a full exploration of the diagram's details. To improve, ensure you describe all stages of the process in more detail and provide a more comprehensive overview of the entire system.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which is a positive step. However, the logical flow is hindered by awkward transitions and phrasing. Phrases like 'Moving towards' and 'To commence with' are used somewhat mechanically and do not always connect ideas smoothly. The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly in the final paragraph where the distinction between the day and night cycles is confusingly expressed. To improve, focus on using a wider range of cohesive devices more naturally and ensure that each sentence logically follows the previous one to create a clearer progression of information.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. You rely on basic terms like 'huge amount' and 'collecting', which could be replaced with more technical or precise alternatives such as 'significant volume' or 'impounded'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'electricity providing to National grid', which should be 'supplying electricity to the national grid'. The range of vocabulary is limited, and there is a lack of technical terminology related to hydroelectric power generation, which is expected in an Academic Task 1 response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with article usage (e.g., 'in day time' instead of 'during the day'), verb forms ('water collecting' instead of 'water is collected'), and sentence structure. Many sentences are fragmented or lack necessary prepositions. While you attempt some complex structures, they are often inaccurate. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles and prepositions. Proofreading for these common errors will significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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