Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-24

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 6.0)

The process diagram illustrates how electricity is produced in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, the process compromises of different steps from storing water in a high level reservoir to distributing the power to grid stations.

Initially, the dams are built after the river to save water at a high level. Down the dam, there is a turbine at the power station which operates as a generator during the day time, which rotates the water coming down the steep. The rotation of the generator causes the electricity to be produced which is further transferred to the grid stations through the Power lines. At the end of the process, the water used to produce electricity is stored in a low level reservoir.

On the other hand, during night operation the turbine acts as a pump and sent the low level reservoir water back to the high level storage to be used again. The turbine has enough capacity to pump the water back over a rise.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have successfully identified the main features of the hydroelectric process, including the dual-mode operation (daytime generation and night-time pumping). The overview is clear and provides a good summary of the entire cycle. However, some details are slightly inaccurate or confusingly phrased, such as stating 'dams are built after the river' (which is unclear) and the description of the turbine 'operating as a generator during the day time'. While you cover the key stages, the explanation of the mechanical process could be more precise to fully capture the technical nature of the diagram. Overall, you have addressed all parts of the task effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response is logically organized, moving from an introduction to the daytime process and then the night-time cycle. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate these two distinct phases. You use some cohesive devices like 'Initially', 'At the end of the process', and 'On the other hand' to guide the reader. However, some transitions are slightly mechanical, and the flow between sentences could be smoother. For example, the connection between the turbine's rotation and the production of electricity is a bit abrupt. Overall, the information is presented in a coherent manner that is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'reservoir', 'turbine', 'generator', and 'grid stations'. There are some minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'process compromises of' (should be 'comprises') and 'sent the low level reservoir water' (should be 'sends'). While you attempt to use technical terminology, some phrasing is slightly unnatural, such as 'water coming down the steep'. To reach a higher band, focus on more precise verbs and collocations related to mechanical processes and energy production.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader, such as 'the process compromises of' (incorrect verb usage), 'built after the river' (preposition error), and 'sent the low level reservoir water' (tense inconsistency). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. You show an ability to construct complex sentences, but you need to ensure better control over verb tenses and prepositional phrases to improve accuracy.

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

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