Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

the diagram illustrates how electricity is produced in a hydroelectric power station using two reservoirs and reversible turbines.

overall, the process operates differently during the day and night. during the day, water flows downhill to generate electricity, while at night the same water is pumped back uphill for storage.

the process begins, with water being stored in a high-level reservoir behind a dam. water from a river flows into this reservoir. during the daytime, the intake is opened and water flows down through pipes to the power station below. as it passes through reversible turbines, electricity is generated.. the turbines operate a generator, and the electricity produced is then transmitted via power lines to national grid. after passing through the turbines, the water is discharged into a low-level reservoir.

at night, the process reverses. the intake is closed and the turbines pump water the low-level reservoir back up to0 the high-level reservoir, where it is stored for use the following day.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

You have successfully identified the main features of the hydroelectric power station, including the cyclical nature of the process between day and night. The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the key stages. You have covered all parts of the task well, including the movement of water and the generation of electricity. To reach a higher band, ensure you consistently use formal, objective language throughout. For instance, avoid phrases like 'the process begins' and instead focus on describing the components and their functions more precisely. Overall, the information is accurate and well-selected.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and a description of the two main phases (day and night). Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate these stages. You use some cohesive devices such as 'during the day', 'while', and 'after passing through', which help the flow of information. However, some transitions are a bit mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking words and ensure that the progression between sentences is smoother. For example, the transition between the daytime process and the nighttime reversal could be more sophisticated.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary relevant to the topic, such as 'hydroelectric power station', 'reversible turbines', 'reservoir', and 'national grid'. This demonstrates an adequate range for the task. There are some minor issues with word choice and precision, such as 'the turbines pump water the low-level reservoir', which is missing a preposition. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more precise technical collocations and ensure that your vocabulary is consistently accurate. Avoid minor errors like 'to0' and ensure consistent capitalization at the start of sentences.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several punctuation and capitalization errors, such as starting sentences with lowercase letters and missing periods in some places (e.g., 'generated..'). There are also minor grammatical slips, such as the missing preposition in 'pump water [from] the low-level reservoir'. To improve, focus on proofreading for basic mechanical errors and aim to use a wider variety of complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions, which are particularly suitable for describing technical processes.

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

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