Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The hydroelectric power station is responsible for generating electricity through water supply.

The systemic process works on the mechanism of hydropower that is consumed to generate electricity. The water flows all the way from river to dam as it has been created a high-level reservoir for water. The dam is constructed to manage water flow that is moved accordingly in times of day and night. The intake area is open at daytime while at night it is closed. The water flows fromthe reservoir to the power station where the reversible turbines works to operate generator with the assistance of power lines located there to the national grid for localized community. At night-time, the water is pumped in the opposite direction as a reversible process to pump water back to the location of high-level reservoir. However, at the daytime, the water moving from generator, is entered into low level reservoir after working as a source of rotating turbines in powerstation to make electricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully identifies the main purpose of the diagram, which illustrates how a hydroelectric power station generates electricity during the day and pumps water back at night. Key features such as the high-level reservoir, dam, intake, reversible turbines, generator, and low-level reservoir are mentioned. However, the response lacks a clear, distinct overview paragraph highlighting the dual operating cycle (day and night). Furthermore, some descriptions are slightly confusing or imprecise, such as stating that assistance is provided by power lines 'to the national grid for localized community'. While all parts of the process are touched upon, the lack of a structured overview and minor inaccuracies in reporting the visual details keep this criterion at Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized as a single block of text rather than distinct paragraphs, which hinders the overall visual structure and logical flow expected in an Academic Task 1 response. Cohesive devices are used, but sometimes mechanically or awkwardly, such as 'However, at the daytime' and 'as a reversible process'. Progression between the daytime generation phase and the night-time pumping phase is attempted, but the single-paragraph format makes the transition difficult to follow. Pronoun referencing and signposting are basic. This demonstrates the characteristics of Band 5.5 to 6.0, fitting best into Band 6.0 for a coherent overall arrangement despite faulty cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully using terms directly from the diagram and topic-specific vocabulary such as 'hydroelectric power station', 'reversible turbines', 'generator', and 'reservoir'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'water flows fromthe reservoir', 'reversible turbines works to operate generator', and 'rotating turbines in powerstation'. Attempts at less common vocabulary sometimes result in unnatural phrasing. Spelling errors ('fromthe', 'powerstation') are also present. These limitations place the lexical resource squarely at a Band 5.5, rounded to 6.0 for adequacy.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The water flows all the way from river to dam as it has been created a high-level reservoir...'. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, featuring errors such as missing articles ('from river to dam', 'at daytime'), subject-verb agreement issues ('turbines works'), and awkward passives ('as it has been created a high-level reservoir'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but frequent minor grammatical errors occasionally cause the reader to pause. The grammar aligns well with Band 5.5, which rounds to a Band 6.0 as a mix of simple and complex forms with occasional errors that do not impede overall communication.

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

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