Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The given picture illustrates the process of the production of electricity in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, the procedure starts from the water flowing through dams which ends on conversion of electricity produced from water to supply to grids after following particular steps in this particular process.

In detail, the process begins with flow of water from river to the dam where high level reservoir consist the water. Generally, intake of water is opened in the day whereas closed in the night. After this, water flows to power station for further processing and the flow of water reverse at night back to the dam.

Later on, the power station consisting reversible turbines operates the production of electricity through generator as it passes the electricity further to power lines and national grids respectively. In the end, remaining water moves to low level reservoir before mixing back to the rivers and lakes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the hydroelectric power station process, including the reservoirs, turbines, and electricity distribution. However, the description is somewhat superficial. For instance, the explanation of the 'reversible' nature of the process is slightly confusing, and the distinction between the high-level and low-level reservoirs could be more clearly linked to the flow of water. While the main steps are identified, the response lacks a more detailed analysis of the cyclical nature of the system. It meets the requirements of the task but would benefit from a more precise description of the mechanical stages shown in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs. The progression of ideas is generally clear, moving from the start of the process to the final output. Cohesive devices such as 'In detail', 'After this', and 'In the end' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the referencing could be smoother. For example, the phrase 'this particular process' in the second paragraph is slightly redundant. Overall, the paragraphing is appropriate and the information is presented in a coherent manner.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with terms like 'hydroelectric power station', 'reversible turbines', and 'national grids' used correctly. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'high level reservoir consist the water' (should be 'consists of') and 'flow of water reverse' (should be 'reverses'). The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the sophistication and precision required for a higher band. More varied terminology related to mechanical processes would improve the score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement and article usage, such as 'production of electricity' (should be 'the production') and 'flow of water reverse' (should be 'the flow of water reverses'). While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. The control over complex structures is inconsistent, and there is a need for more careful proofreading to ensure grammatical accuracy throughout the text.

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

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