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 map illustrates that power is generated by using a hydroelectric power-house.
Overall, it is a cyclic proportion which it has several stages that the water is stored and sent to the turbine by using passage which is connected with the power station.
Initially, the water is stored in a high level of reservoir from a river where the water comes and the reservoir is specifically called a dam. The dam has an intake portion in the day time water is released and in the nigh it is closed to store the coming fluid.
Moving to the remaining sections, in the turbine area the water is received through a passage or a canal. The water come at a high speed and rotates the turbine. While the rotation of shaft the generator gets started because it connected with the shaft. In day time it produces electricity and this power is transferred with power lines connected with national grid and also liquid is stored to the low-level reservoir, while in night time the shaft is used a reversible turbine as a pump that push the fluid to the high-level reservoir.
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 process, including the reservoir, turbine, and generator. However, the description of the process is somewhat imprecise. For instance, the distinction between the 'day' and 'night' cycles is mentioned, but the explanation of the mechanical process is slightly confused, particularly regarding the 'reversible turbine' and the movement of water. While the main features are identified, the overview is a bit vague, referring to a 'cyclic proportion' rather than a clear summary of the energy conversion process. To reach a higher band, ensure that the relationship between the components is described with greater technical accuracy and clarity.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. There is a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing the stages. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly awkward, such as 'Moving to the remaining sections' and 'While the rotation of shaft'. Additionally, some referencing is unclear, such as the use of 'it' in the second paragraph, which makes the flow slightly disjointed. Improving the variety and precision of linking words would enhance the overall coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing for a basic description of the diagram. There are some attempts at technical terminology like 'reservoir', 'turbine', and 'generator'. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice and awkward phrasing, such as 'cyclic proportion', 'intake portion', and 'coming fluid'. These errors do not prevent understanding, but they limit the range and precision of the language. To improve, focus on using more accurate collocations related to mechanical processes and energy generation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles ('a high level of reservoir'), prepositions ('transferred with power lines'), and verb forms ('the water come at a high speed'). There are also issues with sentence construction, such as 'While the rotation of shaft the generator gets started because it connected with the shaft'. These errors are noticeable and occasionally distract the reader, though they do not impede overall communication. A greater focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and article usage would be beneficial.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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