Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-08-29
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 5.0)
The diagram below shows how electricity generated in a hydroelectric power station.
Water comes from river and different sources .and then these water stores in a place called dam.the dam is open in day time for storing water .A high level reservoir installed in dam .then the water flow towards power station where electricity produce .
By comparison power station include Reversible turbines which pump the water towards dam at night . However reversible turbines pump water into high level reservoir at night . And then there is generator which generate electricity and then pass this electricity through power lines and stored it in a national grid .the generator operate only at day time . However when water capacity increased and it start overflow then turbines push these water to low level reservoir to maintain the water capacity.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While the student identifies the main components of the hydroelectric power station, the description is fragmented and lacks a clear overview or summary of the process. The explanation of the cycle is somewhat confusing, particularly regarding the distinction between day and night operations. Key features, such as the flow of water through the turbine to generate electricity, are mentioned, but the overall development is insufficient to provide a comprehensive summary of the diagram. To improve, the student should ensure all parts of the process are clearly linked and described in a logical, step-by-step manner.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response lacks logical progression and effective paragraphing. Sentences are often short and choppy, making the text feel disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes inaccurate, such as the repetitive use of 'However' and 'And then'. The transition between the day and night cycles is not clearly marked, which makes it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of events. To improve, the student should use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear focus, such as separating the daytime generation process from the nighttime pumping process.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple terms like 'water', 'place', and 'things'. There is a lack of technical terminology appropriate for describing a mechanical process, such as 'intake', 'penstock', or 'transmission'. Some word choices are imprecise, such as 'water capacity increased' instead of 'water levels rose'. The student attempts to describe the process but lacks the range of vocabulary needed to convey the information with precision. Expanding the range of verbs and nouns related to engineering and energy production would significantly improve the quality of the response.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including missing articles ('from river', 'in dam'), incorrect verb forms ('electricity produce', 'generator operate'), and punctuation issues. Sentence structures are predominantly simple, with very few attempts at complex sentences. Subject-verb agreement is inconsistent throughout the text. These errors are frequent and occasionally impede the clarity of the message. To improve, the student needs to focus on basic sentence construction, correct use of articles, and ensuring that verbs are correctly conjugated to match the subject and tense of the sentence.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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