Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

There is a diagram that depicts the mechanism of generating electricity in a hydroelectric power station. The infrastructure is built near a river including two water reservoirs of varying levels, a dam, a generator and a turbine. These systems are assembled into two sections that are connected through pipelines.

The river water flows down to the high-level storage below it. In the daytime, the dam is opened that allow the stored water to move downwards and rotate the turbine. The turbine then operate the generator above it that in turn produces electricity. The water eventually goes into the low-level container.

During night, the water in the low-altitude reservoir moves backward as the whirlpool pumps it into higher-altitude container. The remains closed then to hold the water there.

The force of water-flow drives the turbine to rotate. This motion is used by the generator to yield current. Lastly, the electricity is delivered to the national grid through power lines.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the hydroelectric process, including the day and night cycles. However, the description is somewhat fragmented. While you identify the key components, the explanation of the 'whirlpool' (likely referring to the pump) and the movement of water is slightly unclear. To reach a higher band, ensure that the relationship between the components is described more precisely, particularly the distinction between the generation phase and the pumping phase. The overview is present but could be more integrated into the flow of the report to better highlight the cyclical nature of the system.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. You use some cohesive devices such as 'In the daytime', 'During night', and 'Lastly'. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical, and the connection between sentences could be smoother. For instance, the transition between the second and third paragraphs is abrupt. The use of referencing is generally clear, though some sentences are short and choppy, which limits the overall flow of the text. Improving the variety of linking words would enhance the cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'infrastructure', 'reservoirs', 'turbine', and 'national grid'. There are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'yield current' (usually 'generate electricity') and 'whirlpool' (which is not a standard term for a pump in this context). While the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. Attempting to use more specific technical collocations related to energy production would improve your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('the dam is opened that allow', 'the turbine then operate') and missing articles or incorrect prepositions ('in the high-altitude container'). While these errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the process, they are frequent enough to impact the overall fluency. To improve, focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed with accurate verb forms.

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

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