Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-07

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 6.0)

The image shown illustrates how river water is utilized for creating electricity through a power station which functions hydroelectrically.

The functioning of system initiates with river water that enters the dam during daytime from a high level reservoir leading to power station although it is closed at night. Moving further, the flow of water leads to generator which is placed at power station where reversible turbines help to generate electricity by operating generator. Entire process of creating light takes place during daytime.

Now, at nighttime the water from low level of reservoir is send back to high level by reversible turbines where they pump back to dam travelling the same route where electricity is generated instead of which pumping takes place before entering back into dam.

Overall, the usage of river water to generate power is accurately described in this diagram and how one form of electricity is used to create another.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the hydroelectric power station process, including the daytime generation and nighttime pumping phases. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks precision in technical terminology. For instance, the explanation of the 'reversible turbines' and the water flow between reservoirs is slightly confusing. While the main features are identified, the response would benefit from a more structured overview of the cycle, clearly distinguishing between the two distinct phases of operation. The summary is functional but lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally awkward, such as 'Moving further' and 'Instead of which pumping takes place'. The transition between the daytime and nighttime phases could be smoother. While there is an overall progression, the referencing is sometimes unclear, particularly when describing the movement of water between the high and low reservoirs. Paragraphing is present but could be more effectively used to separate the two distinct operational modes.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. Phrases like 'creating light' are inaccurate in this context, as the process generates electricity, not light. There is some repetition of basic terms like 'water', 'dam', and 'power station'. To improve, you should incorporate more specific technical vocabulary related to hydroelectric processes, such as 'intake', 'penstock', 'discharge', or 'grid'. Word choice is occasionally imprecise, which limits the ability to convey the process with professional clarity.

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. Examples include 'The functioning of system initiates', which lacks an article, and 'is send back', which should be 'is sent back'. There are also issues with preposition usage and word order, such as 'instead of which pumping takes place before entering back into dam'. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. More attention to subject-verb agreement and article usage is needed.

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

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