Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-13
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 given diagram illustrates the process by which electricity is produced in a hydro electric power station. Overall, this entire process consists of two main stage i.e. during the day electricity is being generated but at night water is pumped back to the upper reservoir for reuse. In addition, a hydro electric power station consists of a first gall, during day time river, dams and a power station. A dam is built across a river to create a reservoir and it has two water storage areas i.e. A high level and a low level. Additionally, a generator is needed to generate electric currents.
To begin with, a dam is constructed across a river to create a reservoir. During day time the intake gates are opened and water flows from the river to the high level storage area. This water flows with ~~speed and~~ great speed towards the turbines and rotates them within a magnetic field thus inducing current. This electricity generated by the generator is transmitted to the national grid via the power lines.
On the other hand, at night the high level reservoir is filled again. This There are reversible turbines. They operate as generators during the day but at night they pump back water to the high level reservoir from the low level reservoir. Therefore, at night no current is generated.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student covers the main stages of the hydroelectric power station diagram, successfully identifying both the day-time electricity generation phase and the night-time water-pumping cycle. Key features such as the high-level and low-level reservoirs, intake gates, turbines, and generators are mentioned. However, the overview lacks clarity in places with minor confusing phrasing like 'a first gall', and some details are slightly underdeveloped or imprecise. Nevertheless, all parts of the visual prompt are addressed adequately, fulfilling the requirements for Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response has a coherent overall arrangement and is divided into three distinct paragraphs separating the introduction, the day process, and the night process. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Additionally', and 'On the other hand' are employed to guide the reader through the stages. However, referencing and paragraph cohesion are occasionally clunky, as seen in the isolated sentence 'This There are reversible turbines.' Despite these minor mechanical flaws, the logical progression is clear enough to secure a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 6.0
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully utilizing topic-specific terms such as 'reservoir', 'turbines', 'generator', 'intake gates', and 'national grid'. Attempts at less common vocabulary are generally understandable, though there are some awkward lexical choices and phrasing, such as 'first gall' and 'flow with great speed towards the turbines'. Spelling and word choice errors do not impede communication, placing the response solidly at Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0
The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including relative clauses and conditional-like time clauses (e.g., 'During day time the intake gates are opened and water flows from the river...'). There are several grammatical errors and punctuation awkwardness, such as missing articles ('during day time', 'high level reservoir'), plural/singular mismatches, and fragmented editing marks ('This There are reversible turbines'). However, these errors rarely impede overall communication, demonstrating the characteristics of Band 6.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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