Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)
The diagram illustrates the process of electricity production in water-based power plant.
Overall, the procedure includes a significant stages, such as movement of water from high to low reservoir through dam, use of potential energy of water for electricity generation, and pumping of water in the night for again usage in the day.
Firstly, in the hydroelectric power plant, the water from river is collected in the dam at high-level, then intake gates are opened in the day time. Subsequently, the water that possess high potential energy is runned down towards power station and generate electricity. The energy of water is converted into electric energy which is then passed to generator. In this way, produced electricity is delievered to national grid through power lines.
Secondly, during the night, the water which is accumlated in low-level reservoir during day, is pumped toward high-level by the consumption of energy and intake gates are closed in the nights. Subsequently, the water is used again for power generation.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the hydroelectric power station process. An overview is provided, highlighting the key stages including water movement, electricity generation during the day, and night-time pumping. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in the description of the sequence and components. For example, the student states that the energy of water is passed to the generator after electricity is generated, which slightly misrepresents the mechanical-to-electrical conversion order shown in the diagram. Additionally, the phrase "a significant stages" contains a minor grammatical slip. Despite these minor issues, the overall process is clearly covered and well-selected, satisfying the requirements for a Band 6.5 or 7.0 descriptor.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response has a clear overall arrangement and logical progression, moving from an introductory overview to the day-time process and concluding with the night-time cycle. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the day process, and the night process. Cohesive devices such as "Firstly", "Subsequently", and "Secondly" are employed to sequence the stages, although some referencing is slightly clunky or mechanical (e.g., "for again usage in the day"). Paragraphing and transitions generally ensure readability, placing this response firmly in the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a technical process, attempting terms such as "hydroelectric power plant", "potential energy", "accumlated", and "national grid". However, there are several word choice and collocation errors, such as "water-based power plant" instead of hydroelectric power station, "runned down" instead of flowed down or cascaded, and "for again usage". Spelling is mostly accurate with minor slips like "delievered". These errors do not impede communication, placing the vocabulary use at a solid Band 6.0 level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and conditional-like time clauses (e.g., "during the night, the water which is accumlated in low-level reservoir during day, is pumped toward high-level..."). There are several grammatical errors throughout the text, such as article omissions ("in water-based power plant", "from river"), incorrect verb forms ("is runned down", "generate electricity" instead of generates), and awkward prepositional phrases ("in the nights"). While these errors are frequent, they rarely impede overall comprehension, aligning well with the Band 6.0 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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