Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-25

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 diagram illustrates the sequential processes involved in working of the hydroelectric power station. I I will discuss its' significant features along with the comparison of its working at different times of the day.

In this power station, there is dam, with power station containing the high power generator and the turbines. The power lines and national grids are the part of supply network.

During day, the entrance for flow of a considerably fast water from the water reservoir to the steep path for generation of hydroelectricity, is open ,while it is closed at night. Following this, the water flows downward during the day ,whereas, it is pumped upward during night.

In the power station, turbines run the generator during day, however, it pumps water to the high-level water storage at night.

The process culminates in the step where water moves to the low-level reservoir during day , although it move in the opposite direction at night.

After all these steps, the generator supplies electricity to the power lines and then flow to the national grid.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the hydroelectric power station diagram, including the day and night cycles. However, the overview is somewhat weak, as it focuses on the process rather than highlighting the key contrast between the two modes of operation. While the main features are identified, the description of the components is a bit simplistic. To reach a higher band, you should provide a more cohesive summary of the overall mechanism and ensure that the distinction between the day and night cycles is presented with greater clarity and precision, rather than just listing the steps.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical (e.g., 'Following this', 'After all these steps'). The transition between the day and night descriptions could be smoother to better highlight the contrast. Additionally, some sentences are slightly disjointed, and the referencing (e.g., 'it' referring to the turbine or the process) is occasionally ambiguous, which slightly affects the flow of information.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range required for a higher band. You use basic terms like 'fast water' instead of 'high-pressure water' or 'water flow'. There are also some minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'working of the hydroelectric power station' instead of 'operation of the hydroelectric power station'. To improve, try to incorporate more technical and precise vocabulary related to engineering or mechanical processes to demonstrate a wider range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are several grammatical errors that persist throughout the text, such as 'there is dam' (missing article), 'its' significant features' (incorrect apostrophe), and 'it move' (subject-verb agreement). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on proofreading for basic articles, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation will 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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