Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The diagram illustrates how hydroelectric power station generates electricity using water.

there is a reservoir at the High-level which reserves water flown by the river which flows to the generator in power station ,generator uses water to produce electricity at the day while it pumps extra water after generation back to high-level reservoir at the night.

in diagram water container facility transfers it to the generator in order to produce electricity in the day time while generator do's by using passing water through power lines and national grid in the day time and passes extra water to the level reservoir after that at the night it will be flown to the opposite side to the high-level reservoir to produce electricity Hydroelectric power station follows this process continuously using river water.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified the main components of the hydroelectric process, the description is repetitive and lacks a clear, logical structure. You have attempted to describe the cycle, but the explanation of the day/night process is confusing and contains factual inaccuracies regarding how the water moves. To improve, you must ensure you cover all stages of the diagram clearly and provide a more comprehensive overview of the process, ensuring the response reaches the required length to allow for full development of ideas.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks paragraphing, which is essential for organizing information in a report. The flow of ideas is disjointed, and the use of cohesive devices is very limited. Phrases like 'in diagram' and 'after that' are used in a mechanical way that does not effectively link the stages of the process. The lack of clear transitions between the components of the power station makes the text difficult to follow. To improve, you should group related information into distinct paragraphs—for example, one for the components and one for the operational process—and use a wider variety of linking words to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'water', 'generator', and 'electricity'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'water container facility' (which is not a standard term for a reservoir or dam) and 'do's by using'. The phrasing is often awkward, which hinders the clarity of your report. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise technical vocabulary related to the diagram, such as 'intake', 'turbine', 'penstock', or 'pumped-storage', and focus on using these terms in their correct context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The grammar is characterized by frequent errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'generator do's'), incorrect verb forms (e.g., 'water flown'), and missing articles. The sentence structures are mostly simple or poorly constructed, lacking the variety required for higher bands. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after commas and periods. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring that your subjects and verbs agree, and practicing the correct use of articles and prepositions in a technical context.

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

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