Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-28
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 5.0)
The diagram illustrates the process of electricity being made through hydroelectric power station during day and night.
overall, the structure of power station says that during day timings, the generator is operated and at night pump water gone into high level reservior.
In day, the river passes by dam and comes in the flow to generate electricity. Power station is then used to generate the power lines which brings water to national grid and now is ready to go towards low level reservior.
In contrast, the water is pumped into high level reservior where it travels from low level reservior, than from generator flowing during pumping to high level reservior.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, containing only 110 words, which significantly impacts Task Achievement. While the student attempts to describe the main features of the hydroelectric power station during both day and night cycles, the explanation is disjointed, incomplete, and contains inaccurate mechanical descriptions. For instance, the statement 'power lines which brings water to national grid' misinterprets the diagram's flow. There is an attempt at an overview, but key details regarding the dual operation of the reversible turbines and reservoirs are muddled, leading to a partial and underdeveloped response.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The essay is divided into short paragraphs, but the logical progression is frequently disrupted by unclear referencing and abrupt transitions. Cohesive devices are minimal and basic, such as 'In day' and 'In contrast'. The sequencing of the process is confused, particularly in the third and fourth paragraphs, where the description of water movement between the reservoirs, turbines, and national grid becomes difficult to follow. Paragraphing is attempted, but individual paragraphs lack internal cohesion and clear signposting of stages.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, frequently relying on direct lifting of words from the prompt such as 'power station', 'high level reservior', and 'generator'. There are noticeable spelling errors ('reservior') and inaccurate collocations, such as 'day timings' instead of 'daytime' or 'during the day'. Attempts to use less common vocabulary are absent, and lexical control is limited to simple functional terms, which occasionally impedes the reader's understanding of the process.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response shows a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying mostly on simple sentences with frequent structural errors. There are issues with passive and active voice confusion, such as 'electricity being made through hydroelectric power station' and 'pump water gone into high level reservior'. Subject-verb agreement and prepositional use are also weak (e.g., 'In day' instead of 'During the day'). These errors occur frequently and occasionally cause difficulty for the reader in grasping the intended meaning.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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