Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The provided diagram is an illustration of how hydroelectric power station generate the electricity through various steps. The process begins from river which work as a source of supply of water.
Overall, it can be seen that electricity is generated after passing so many steps. Initially, water flows through a river into a dam, and culminating in further processing of water into a electric generator.
Firstly, water flows from river towards a dam which is a high-level reservoir, then dam processed water into further areas. After that, water further passes through a pipe only during a daytime because it remain closed during at night. In daytime water only flows to generate electricity, while at night water flows to pump.
Subsequently, when water enters into a reversible turbine, then during a day they operate generator to produce electricity, and at night they pump water into high-level reservoir. Finally, when electricity is generated it transfer through power lines, next to the national grid.
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 process, including the role of the river, the dam, the turbine, and the power lines. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks precision in technical terminology. For instance, the explanation of the day/night cycle is slightly confusing and could be more clearly linked to the specific components of the diagram. While the main features are identified, the summary could be more analytical by focusing on the cyclical nature of the system rather than just listing steps. The overview is present but could be more concise and professional.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'then' and 'further'. The logical progression is generally clear, but some transitions between sentences feel forced. For example, the phrase 'culminating in further processing of water into a electric generator' is awkward and disrupts the flow of the explanation. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that referencing (e.g., 'they' referring to turbines) is precise would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision expected for a technical description. There are several instances of awkward word choices, such as 'dam processed water' and 'culminating in further processing'. The student relies on basic verbs like 'flows' and 'passes' repeatedly. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more specific terminology related to engineering or energy production, such as 'intake', 'penstock', 'discharge', or 'reversibility'. Spelling is generally accurate, but the range of vocabulary is limited to common, everyday language.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. Common issues include article misuse ('a electric generator', 'the river'), subject-verb agreement ('station generate', 'it remain closed'), and awkward phrasing ('they operate generator'). While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. The student should focus on mastering basic sentence construction and ensuring that articles and verb endings are used correctly in all contexts.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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