Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-19

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 the process of electricity how to generated in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, dam is important part of electricity process, it is helps to water to flowing ahead. Dam open day time and closed night. Power station and generator handle to full process because after cross the dam water directly go to generator electricity in day time, while power station staff access to generator and dam.

To begin with, water comes from river then go near the dam. In day time water non stop flowing in the river. Dam helps flow of water to generate electricity in day. On the other hand, flow of water pumping during night. Generator control all power lines national grid, generator reversible turbines in day time operate generator. In night time it pump water into high level reservoir. As a Consequences, they provides electricity which hydroelectric power station helps to whole process

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the process but fails to clearly identify the key stages of the hydroelectric cycle. While it mentions the dam and the generator, the explanation of the process is confusing and inaccurate. For instance, the claim that the dam is 'open day time and closed night' is a misinterpretation of the diagram, which shows a reversible system. The summary lacks a clear overview of the main features, and the description of the 'national grid' and 'staff' is largely irrelevant or poorly integrated. The response struggles to present a clear, logical account of the mechanical process shown in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the logical progression is weak. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate, such as 'As a Consequences' and 'On the other hand', which do not correctly link the ideas presented. Referencing is frequently unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of events. The transition between the description of the day cycle and the night cycle is disjointed, and the overall structure lacks the flow required for a higher band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and often imprecise. There is frequent misuse of word forms and collocations, such as 'electricity process', 'water non stop flowing', and 'staff access to generator'. The student relies on basic, repetitive language to describe technical components. There is little evidence of the specific terminology required to describe a mechanical process effectively. While the meaning is generally discernible, the lack of precision and the presence of word-choice errors significantly hinder the quality of the report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that often impede clarity. There are persistent issues with subject-verb agreement ('it is helps to water'), article usage ('dam is important part'), and sentence structure ('The diagram illustrates the process of electricity how to generated'). The writing consists mostly of simple sentences with incorrect syntax. Complex structures are attempted but are almost always faulty, such as 'As a Consequences, they provides electricity which hydroelectric power station helps to whole process'. These errors are frequent and pervasive throughout the text.

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