Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-18

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 7.0)

The process diagram illustrates the production of electricity in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, it can be seen that during the day time the water from the high-level reservoir is used to make electricity, which is then supplied to power lines and the national grid systematically, whereas during the night the water from the low level reservoir flows in an opposite direction and enters in the high-level river.

In the beginning, during the day time the river flows into the high-level reservoir which is then collected into a dam. Subsequently, the water flows from high level to low level, and enters in a power station where a generator is used to produe electricity. Later it is transmitted to power lines and the national grid.

At night, the water from the low-level reservoir enters into a power station, and flows against the gradient from low altitude to high. Eventually, the water is collected into the high-level reservoir. The intake is opened during day and closed at night, ensuring the generation of electricity during the day only.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the prompt by summarizing the main features of the hydroelectric power station process diagram and providing clear comparisons between the day and night cycles. An appropriate and concise overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the fundamental operational contrast between daytime generation and nighttime pumping. Key stages, such as the water flow from the high-level reservoir, the operation of the reversible turbines and generator during the day, and the reverse pumping process at night, are all accurately reported. The information is grounded in the visual data without significant misinterpretations, earning a solid Band 7.0 for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized with a clear overall progression from the introduction to the overview, the daytime operations, and finally the nighttime cycle. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct stages and times of day. Cohesive devices such as 'whereas', 'In the beginning', 'Subsequently', and 'At night' are employed to guide the reader through the process. However, referencing and transitions are at times slightly mechanical or repetitive, placing the response comfortably within the Band 7 range.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a technical process, incorporating terms such as 'hydroelectric power station', 'reversible turbines', 'generator', and 'national grid'. There are some successful attempts at less common phrasing ('against the gradient', 'flows in an opposite direction'). However, minor lexical errors and awkward collocations occur, such as 'enters in' and 'produe' (misspelling of produce), alongside repetitive use of basic transitional phrasing. These minor inaccuracies prevent a higher score, but communication remains entirely unimpeded.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, featuring relative clauses and multi-clause sentences (e.g., 'the water from the high-level reservoir is used to make electricity, which is then supplied to power lines...'). There is good overall control of grammar, and meaning is clear throughout. However, minor prepositional errors are present, such as 'enters in a power station' instead of 'enters a power station' or 'enters into'. Because frequent error-free sentences are interspersed with occasional minor grammatical slips, the response aligns well with the Band 7 descriptor.

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