Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-24
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)
Diagram provided here illustrates the process involved for electricity generation in a hydroelectric power station.
Overall the potential energy of the water is utilised in turning the generator shaft which inturn produces the electric energy.River brings the high potential water which will be contained in the reservoir gated by the dam.
During the day time the high potential water stored in the reservoir is channeled downwards through the intake section. The high potential water stream then gains the speed which moves the blades of the turbine in the power station. The turbine linked to the generator produces electricity which is sent to the national grid. The water after being utilised by the turbine is directed to the lower level reservoir.
In the night time the water from the lower level reservoir is pumped back upwards to the higher level reservoir through the same. This process is designed in order to utilise the excess energy being produced by other sounces in the night time. Hence in the day time when the grid demand is more, the stored water in the higher reservoir can be reused to generate electricity.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 6.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 6.0 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The response successfully covers all key stages of the hydroelectric power generation and water-pumping cycle. The student provides a clear overview in the second sentence outlining the basic transformation of potential energy into electrical energy via the generator shaft. The main features, including the role of the high and low reservoirs, intake gates, reversible turbines, and the diurnal cycle (daytime generation versus night-time pumping), are accurately reported. The description is grounded in the diagram and explains the operational mechanism logically, meeting all requirements for Task Achievement at a Band 7.0 level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The essay displays a clear logical organisation and progression from the introduction of the process to daytime generation and finally night-time water pumping. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to separate the introduction, overall summary, and body details. Cohesive devices such as 'During the day time', 'after being utilised', and 'In the night time' are employed to guide the reader through the sequence. However, referencing and transitions are occasionally slightly mechanical, such as leaving out a noun after 'through the same' in the final paragraph, which prevents the score from reaching a higher band.
Lexical Resource: Band 6.0
The student uses a sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for an academic process description, including terms like 'potential energy', 'reservoir', 'intake section', 'reversible turbines', and 'national grid'. There are some successful attempts to use less common phrasing, such as 'excess energy being produced by other sources'. However, there are minor lexical and collocation inaccuracies, such as 'electric energy' instead of 'electrical energy' and 'sounces' (a typo for sources), as well as missing words like 'through the same [conduit]'. Overall, the vocabulary is adequate to convey the meaning clearly, supporting a Band 6.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses ('electricity which is sent to the national grid') and participial phrases ('The water after being utilised by the turbine...'). There are some grammatical errors and awkward phrasings present, including 'inturn' (one word/spelling error), 'River brings' (missing article), 'the high potential water stream then gains the speed' (unnecessary articles), and punctuation omissions. Despite these errors, they rarely impede communication, and the writer maintains a reasonable degree of control over simple and complex forms, fitting the Band 6.5 descriptor well.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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