Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-03
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)
This operation is a reversible process. At first, water from the river goes to a high-level reservoir and finally reaches to the dam, which is opened during the day and closed at night. Then the water travels through a pipe and reaches the reversible turbines to generate electricity. In mornings those turbines act as a operate generator to produce power; the generated electricity is sent to the national grid from the power station with the help of power lines. Then the water in the turbines is flushed out to the low-level reservoir.
Whereas, at night time the whole process is reversed. Now the turbines act as pumps to pump water from low reservoir to high level reservoir, and the water starts travelling in the opposite direction. As mentioned the dams will be closed at night time so the water travels back, again to restart the whole process.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While you have identified the main features of the hydroelectric process, the description lacks the necessary detail and analytical depth expected for an Academic Task 1. You have described the two stages (day/night) but failed to provide a clear overview or summary of the process as a whole. Furthermore, the explanation of the mechanism is somewhat simplistic. To improve, ensure you provide a clear introductory overview and expand on the technical details of the diagram to meet the length requirement and provide a more comprehensive summary.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized into two paragraphs, reflecting the day and night cycles of the hydroelectric process. You use some cohesive devices such as 'At first', 'Then', 'Whereas', and 'Now', which help the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the progression between sentences is sometimes mechanical, and the transition between the two paragraphs could be smoother. The use of referencing is generally clear, but the overall structure is quite basic. To reach a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that the relationship between the different parts of the diagram is more explicitly connected.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range required for a higher score. You rely on basic terms like 'goes to', 'reaches', and 'travels'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'act as a operate generator', which is grammatically incorrect and imprecise. To improve, you should incorporate more technical and descriptive vocabulary related to mechanical processes, such as 'facilitates', 'converts', 'circulates', or 'harnesses'. Expanding your range of synonyms and using more precise terminology will help you convey the information more effectively and professionally.
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 clarity. For example, 'reaches to the dam' (incorrect preposition), 'act as a operate generator' (incorrect word form), and 'from low reservoir to high level reservoir' (missing articles). While the meaning is generally understandable, these recurring errors in basic grammar and article usage prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and the consistent application of articles to improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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