Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-04

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)

electricity is a main source of energy . it is produced through dams, thermal power plants etc. dams are built across the rivers .dams have a doors which stops the flow of water . its is made up of high level reservoir . the door of dams closed at night and open at day .when door are open then the water comes out from doors very fast and this water generate electricity in day . It contain power station which includes generators reversible turbines and so many other things .In day its directs the water outward and in night flow inward ( towards the dam ) . its contains low level reservoir which contain water or stored water . generator helps to generate electricity. reversible turbines in day, operate generator to generator electricity and in night its pump the water into high level reservoir . dams are built on big rivers .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the process but fails to provide a clear, structured overview of the hydroelectric power station's operation. It lacks an introductory summary and fails to clearly distinguish between the two main phases (daytime generation and nighttime pumping). The description is somewhat repetitive and lacks the analytical precision required for an Academic Task 1 report. Key features, such as the movement of water between the high and low reservoirs, are mentioned but not explained in a logical, step-by-step manner. To improve, you should structure your response with an introduction, an overview of the process, and clear paragraphs detailing the specific stages of the cycle.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text lacks paragraphing, which makes it difficult to follow the progression of the process. There is a lack of cohesive devices to link ideas; sentences are mostly short and disjointed. While there is a basic attempt to sequence events (e.g., 'in day', 'in night'), the lack of logical transitions between the components of the power station (reservoirs, turbines, generators) hinders the flow of information. To improve, use linking words such as 'consequently', 'subsequently', or 'during the day' to connect your ideas and organize your response into distinct paragraphs for better readability.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'things', 'doors', and 'water'. There is little attempt to use technical or precise vocabulary related to engineering or hydroelectric processes, such as 'intake', 'penstock', or 'cycle'. Some word choices are inaccurate, such as 'doors' instead of 'gates' or 'valves'. To reach a higher band, focus on learning topic-specific vocabulary and using more precise verbs to describe the movement of water and the function of the machinery.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including issues with subject-verb agreement ('door are open', 'it contain'), article usage ('a main source', 'the dams'), and punctuation (missing spaces after periods). Sentence structures are simple and repetitive, with very few attempts at complex sentences. The lack of capitalization at the start of sentences also detracts from the professional quality of the writing. To improve, focus on basic sentence construction, ensuring that subjects and verbs agree, and practice using complex structures like relative clauses or passive voice, which are essential for describing processes.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.