Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-17
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)
The rendered man-made process chart depicts the information about the production of electricity in a hydroelectric power station.
Overall, it is crystal clear that there is approximately 8 to 9 steps. The first one is water from river to reservoir and last one consists of power supplied to national grids from generator through power lines.
At a fleeting glance, it is evident that it commences with water from river reaches to dam and stored in High-level reservoir. It has a intake gate which is opened during and closed at night. In day gates are opened and the flow water is allowed downwards to generate electricity despite of this, at night flow is opposite and water is pumped back. As soon as water reaches to reversible turbines it rotates with flow of water to low-level reservoir in day.
Moving further, as the turbine is connected to generator and operates it. When generator at power-station is in action it generates electricity and later is supplied to National grids through power lines whereas, at night the water from Low-level reservoir is pumped upside and this process repeats continuously.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the hydroelectric power station process, including the cyclical nature of the water flow between the high-level and low-level reservoirs. You have successfully identified the key components such as the intake gate, turbines, and generator. However, the description of the process is slightly confusing in places, particularly regarding the timing of the water flow. For instance, stating 'despite of this, at night flow is opposite' is a bit vague. To reach a higher band, ensure that the relationship between the day and night cycles is explained with greater precision and clarity, ensuring the reader can easily follow the mechanical sequence.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of the process. You use some cohesive devices like 'Moving further' and 'At a fleeting glance' to link ideas. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical or unnatural. Additionally, the referencing is occasionally unclear; for example, 'it' in 'It has a intake gate' lacks a clear antecedent, as the previous sentence refers to the process rather than the reservoir itself. Improving the variety and precision of your linking words will help the flow of the essay feel more natural and sophisticated.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'reservoir', 'reversible turbines', and 'national grids'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'rendered man-made process chart' (which is slightly awkward) and 'pumped upside' (which should be 'pumped back up'). There are also minor grammatical errors affecting lexical accuracy, such as 'flow water' instead of 'water flow'. To improve, focus on using more precise technical collocations and avoid redundant phrasing to make your writing sound more professional and academic.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that occasionally hinder the flow. For example, 'there is approximately 8 to 9 steps' should be 'there are', and 'reaches to dam' is incorrect usage of the verb 'reach'. Additionally, there are issues with articles ('a intake gate') and prepositions ('reaches to'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct prepositional usage will significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.