Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-23
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 diagram illustrates how a hydroelectric power station produces electricity. It also describes the different ways the hydroelectric power station works from day to night.
Overall, there is a dam it holds high-level reservoir, from the dam water flows downward towards the generator. Intake of water are closed at night and opened during the day.
From the river water is stored on the high-level reservoir, the reservoir is created with a dam, which at daytime releases water downwards to generate electricity but at night the dam's water passage is closed from down, rather it pumps water upwards.
During the morning, the water that flows down is collected in the reversible turbines and pushed up to generator and through power lines to produce electricity. The water is also reserved in the low-level reservoir[located near power station] during the day for public usage. The reversible turbines pump water into the high-level reservoir at night.
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, including the cycle of water between the high-level and low-level reservoirs. However, the description is somewhat confusing in places, particularly regarding the role of the generator and the turbines. For instance, stating that water is 'pushed up to generator' is technically inaccurate based on the diagram, which shows the generator being powered by the flow of water. While the main features are identified, the explanation lacks the clarity and precision required for a higher band. The distinction between day and night operations is mentioned, but the overall summary could be more effectively structured to highlight the cyclical nature of the process.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the flow of information. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive. For example, the transition between sentences often relies on simple connectors like 'and' or 'but'. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as the phrase 'closed from down', which makes the sequence of events difficult to follow. While there is a logical progression from the reservoir to the generator, the lack of sophisticated linking words and occasional awkward phrasing impacts the overall flow of the text.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'hydroelectric power station', 'reservoir', 'reversible turbines', and 'electricity' being used correctly. However, the range is limited, and there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'intake of water are closed' (should be 'is') and 'reserved in the low-level reservoir' (where 'stored' would be more appropriate). There is little evidence of less common lexical items or sophisticated collocations. To improve, you should focus on using more precise verbs and nouns to describe the mechanical processes shown in the diagram.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('Intake of water are closed') and awkward phrasing ('the dam it holds high-level reservoir'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some run-on sentences and missing articles. While the meaning is generally conveyed, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on sentence construction and ensuring subject-verb agreement would significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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