Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-26
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 4.0)
The rendered process depicts the information about the how electricity is produced in a hydroelectric power station.
Overall, started the electricity created in river water and dam and end of the finish it power lines leads to national grid.
In the begining, high- level reservoir water in river and next step is dam which is closed at night and in the day it open. Afterthat, flow of water go to generate electricity in day and at night it pumping again to dam. Thereafter, In the power station, reversible turbines work in day to operate generator low- level reservoir. In the next step, high- level reservoir into pump water at night. Last step,generator work with water and produced electricity. Its lead to power lines and national grid.Its the process of how electricity created in hydroelectric power station.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5
The student attempts to describe the hydroelectric power station process, but the response falls significantly short of the 150-word minimum requirement at only 136 words, which incurs a penalty. While some key elements of the diagram are mentioned, such as the high-level reservoir, dam, and reversible turbines, the explanation of the day and night cycles is highly confused and fragmented. For example, the text states 'reversible turbines work in day to operate generator low- level reservoir', which misinterprets the spatial and functional relationships shown in the visual. The overview is weak, failing to clearly summarize the dual operational modes (electricity generation during the day and water pumping at night). Consequently, the task is only partially addressed, earning a band score of 4.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0
The response lacks a clear overall progression and logical organisation. The text is written as a single dense paragraph with repetitive and abrupt transitions such as 'In the begining', 'Afterthat', and 'Thereafter'. Referencing is frequently unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of the process. For instance, sentences like 'Its lead to power lines and national grid.Its the process of how electricity created in hydroelectric power station' demonstrate poor cohesion and punctuation. There is no clear paragraphing to separate the daytime generation stage from the nighttime pumping stage, leading to a confusing and disjointed structure that aligns with band 4.0 descriptors.
Lexical Resource: Band 4.0
The vocabulary used is very basic, repetitive, and heavily reliant on direct copying of prompt labels (e.g., 'hydroelectric power station', 'high-level reservoir', 'national grid'). There are numerous word-choice and collocation errors, such as 'rendered process depicts', 'electricity created in river water', and 'it pumping again to dam'. Attempts to use less common vocabulary fail due to inaccurate usage and poor phrasing. Spelling and word formation issues are also present, such as 'begining' and 'Afterthat'. The lexical range is limited and frequently strains the reader's understanding, fitting a band 4.0 level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0
The grammatical range is extremely limited, consisting mostly of poorly constructed, fragmented, and non-standard sentence structures. There is a complete lack of accurate complex sentences, and even basic sentence patterns contain severe errors in tense, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions. Examples include 'started the electricity created in river water', 'dam which is closed at night and in the day it open', and 'generator work with water and produced electricity'. Punctuation is also erratic, with missing spaces and run-on phrasing. These frequent, severe errors heavily impede communication and reflect a band 4.0 performance.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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