Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-22

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 6.5)

The provided diagram illustrates the power production process by using water in hydroelectric power station.

Overall, it can be observed at a glance that this procedure consist of almost 5 steps, beginning with the storage of water at high level and culminating in the delivery of electricity. Moreover, the process become reversed at night.

As the first step, water from the river is stored at high altitude in a dam called high-level reservior, which increases its potential energy. At day time, the stored water is allowed to flow downward towards low-level reservior and its potential energy is changed in to kinetic energy used to run reversible turbines. Following this, these turbines operate the generator in a power station. As a result, electricity is produced which then transferred to national grid by using power lines. At night time, Reversible turbines are worked as a pump and move water in reverse direction from low-level reservior to the high-level resverior.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the hydroelectric power station diagram and making relevant comparisons between the day and night cycles. An overview is provided, noting the multi-step nature of the process and the reversal at night. Key stages—such as the high-level reservoir, water flow through the conduit, turbine and generator operation, power distribution, and nighttime water pumping—are accurately captured. However, the overview could be slightly more detailed to reach a higher band, as stating it consists of 'almost 5 steps' is a bit imprecise. Overall, the content is accurate and well-grounded in the provided visual data, fulfilling the requirements for Band 7.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response exhibits a clear overall progression and logical organisation. It is divided into a suitable introduction/overview paragraph and a detailed body paragraph. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the process, such as 'Overall', 'As the first step', 'At day time', 'Following this', and 'At night time'. Referencing is generally clear, though paragraphing could be improved by separating the overview from the introduction into its own distinct paragraph to enhance readability. Minor mechanical use of cohesive links is present, but overall progression is maintained throughout, placing this securely at Band 6.5, rounded to 7.0 for clear logical flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, successfully incorporating process-specific terms such as 'potential energy', 'kinetic energy', 'reversible turbines', and 'generator'. However, there are some noticeable spelling errors, such as 'reservior' (repeated multiple times) and 'resverior', as well as grammatical collocations like 'at day time' instead of 'during the day' or 'by day'. Vocabulary attempts are generally functional but lack the wider flexibility and precision found at higher bands. The lexical control is sufficient for clear communication, aligning with Band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'water from the river is stored at high altitude in a dam called high-level reservior, which increases its potential energy.' There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout, including missing articles ('at high level', 'at day time'), incorrect verb voice/forms ('procedure consist', 'process become reversed', 'is changed in to', 'is then transferred', 'Reversible turbines are worked as a pump'), and preposition choices. While these errors are frequent, they rarely impede communication, as the overall meaning remains clear. This performance fits the Band 6.0 descriptors well.

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

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