Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-26

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 6.5)

The preceding diagram illustrates the concept of creating electrical power in a power station.

Overall, this operation is done throughout a series of steps which use river energy to generate electricity. There are specific roles the water plays in both day and night.

Initially, the river flows before meeting a dam, which results in a high-level reservoir. Then, the water passes through an intake, which is opened in the day but closed at night. After that, the water either flows to generate electricity in the day, or is pumped back at night.

Next, the water reaches the power station, where it finds reversible turbines. At this point, it can take one of two paths, the first being that it operates the generator in the day, which forms electricity that flows through the power lines to end at the national grid, while the water moves to the low-level reservoir, whereas the second is it being pumped into the high-level reservoir at night.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the hydroelectric power station process. You have successfully identified the key components, such as the dam, reservoir, intake, and turbines, and explained the cyclical nature of the day/night operation. However, the description of the 'low-level reservoir' and the 'national grid' connection is slightly underdeveloped. To reach a higher band, ensure that the relationship between the two reservoirs and the reversible turbine is explained with more precision. The overview is functional but could be more comprehensive by explicitly mentioning the conversion of water energy into electricity as the core purpose of the system.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear progression from the initial flow of the river to the final generation of electricity. You use cohesive devices such as 'initially,' 'then,' 'after that,' and 'next' to guide the reader through the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and the detailed process steps. While the flow is generally smooth, some of the sentence structures in the final paragraph are slightly long and could be broken down to improve readability and ensure that the referencing remains clear throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'reservoir,' 'intake,' 'reversible turbines,' and 'national grid' correctly. This shows a good grasp of the subject-specific terminology required for a process description. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simpler verbs like 'finds' or 'forms.' To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic verbs such as 'facilitates,' 'propels,' or 'transmits.' The vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the process clearly without any significant errors in word choice.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. You show good control over complex sentences, such as 'the first being that it operates the generator in the day, which forms electricity that flows through the power lines.' There are very few grammatical errors, and punctuation is generally accurate. While the control is good, the range of structures could be expanded further to include more varied subordinating conjunctions or passive voice constructions, which are particularly useful when describing technical processes. Overall, the grammar is accurate and does not impede communication.

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

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