Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-08
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)
The data given below tells us about production of electric power in hydroelectric power station.
I will summarise the data by choosing and reporting the key features and make related comparisons. Overall diagram tells us about generating electricity from water stored in dam which is coming from river through moving turbines which make generator able to work and produce electricity.
First of all, the water from river is stored in dam from which it is guided towards the turbines. The mechanical power of the water causes the turbines to operate. The turbine is connected to the generator and when it moves it makes generator to operate and produce electric power. Produced electricity is then transmitted to national grid through power lines from where it can be transmitted for various purposes.
In conclusion, the diagram shows the whole process for generation of electricity including storage in dams and water flow to turbines and finally the generation of electricity and further transmission.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the hydroelectric power generation process, from the dam to the national grid. However, the description is somewhat generic and lacks the precision required for a high band. For instance, it mentions the 'mechanical power of the water' but fails to highlight key technical features shown in the diagram, such as the intake, the penstock, or the specific role of the transformer. The overview is present but lacks a clear summary of the cyclical or mechanical nature of the process. To improve, you should focus on reporting the specific components and their functions more accurately rather than providing a general narrative.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into a logical structure with an introduction, a body paragraph, and a conclusion. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'First of all' and 'In conclusion' are standard but lack variety. Additionally, the paragraphing is slightly unbalanced, with a very short introduction and a body paragraph that could be better segmented to distinguish between the physical components and the operational process. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using more sophisticated linking words to connect the stages of the process more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic. You rely on simple verbs like 'tells us', 'make', and 'operate'. While these are accurate, they do not demonstrate the range of vocabulary expected for an Academic Task 1 response. There is a lack of technical terminology related to the diagram (e.g., 'penstock', 'intake', 'transformer'). To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise, topic-specific vocabulary and avoid repetitive phrasing. The word choice is functional but lacks the flexibility and precision required to describe a technical process effectively.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('in hydroelectric power station', 'from river') and awkward phrasing ('make generator able to work'). While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. You should focus on the correct use of articles and prepositions, as well as refining your sentence construction to ensure better flow and accuracy. Increasing the variety of complex structures while maintaining control over them will help improve your score in this criterion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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