Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-14
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 diagram delineates the process of a hydroelectric power station, highlighting the key stages involved from the beginning to the final outcome.
Overall, the process appears to be a circular sequence consisting of several stages. It begins with the river and gradually progresses through several steps before finally ending with the flow of water during pumping[night].
At the initial stage, the river is reserved in a high-level reservoir. Next, during the day, the intake is open, and the flow of water is used to generate electricity. Thereafter, the water flows through the power station, where it drives the turbines. Following this, the water is reserved in a low-level reservoir.
In the next stage, the water is pumped into a high-level reservoir. Once this has been completed, the water is passed through a channel at night. Before the final stage, during the nighttime, the water is pumped and reaches the intake. Finally, at night, the intake is closed.
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 successfully covers all main parts of the diagram illustrating how a hydroelectric power station generates electricity. The student identifies key stages, such as the high-level reservoir, the intake opening during the day, water driving the turbines, and the subsequent pumping process at night. The overview effectively captures the cyclical nature of the process. However, some descriptions are slightly confusing or inaccurately reflect the diagram's temporal stages, such as stating that water flows during pumping or placing the final nighttime steps in a somewhat repetitive order. Overall, the task is addressed adequately, placing it firmly at a Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is arranged coherently with a clear overall progression from the beginning to the end of the process. The student uses paragraphing appropriately to separate different stages of the diagram, such as the introduction, overview, daytime process, and nighttime process. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the sequence, using transition markers like 'At the initial stage', 'Next', 'Thereafter', and 'In the next stage'. However, referencing and cohesion become a bit mechanical and repetitive towards the end, particularly with the repeated use of 'at night' and 'during the nighttime', which detracts from the flow. Consequently, a band score of 6.0 is appropriate.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range suitable for describing a process diagram, using terms such as 'delineates', 'circular sequence', 'reservoir', 'turbines', and 'intake'. While there are successful attempts to use less common vocabulary, there are also noticeable awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'the river is reserved in a high-level reservoir' (instead of stored or retained) and 'flow of water during pumping[night]'. Spelling is generally accurate, but the lexical choices lack the precision and flexibility required for higher bands, justifying a score of 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating control over basic structures and passive voice constructions, such as 'the water is pumped into a high-level reservoir' and 'the intake is closed.' There are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'the river is reserved' rather than 'stored', and redundant time expressions like 'Before the final stage, during the nighttime'. However, these errors do not impede overall communication. The punctuation is generally sound, and the grammatical range fits the Band 6 descriptor well.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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