Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The figure depicts that how electricity is being produced in a hydroelectric power station.
Overall, electricity is being produced in hydroelectric power station due to flow of water. The water flows from high reservoir to low reservoir and run the generator to produce electricity. While, during night time the water is pumped from low reservoir to high reservoir.
In hydroelectric power station, the water usually comes from river and it flows to the dam where it is stored. When water moves from higher level to low it turns the generaor on which in turns generates electricity. In this way electricity is produced in the hydroelectric power station.
The day and night process are opposite to eachother. During day time water flows from high reservoir from dam to low reservoir. Additionally due to flow of water from high level to low it generates electricity by turning the generator on. Resultantly through power lines electricity is transmitted to the national grid. During night, water moves from low reservoir to high by pumping it and the dam is closed during night time. Thats'why water doesnot flows downward. It is stored at the high-level reservoir.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student attempts to address the task by describing the overall process shown in the diagram. An overview is present in the second paragraph, identifying the main mechanism involving the high-level and low-level reservoirs and the day/night cycle. However, the response contains several inaccuracies and redundant descriptions. For instance, the phrase 'The figure depicts that how electricity is being produced' contains a grammatical slip, and the explanation of the process repeats itself across paragraphs without adding new depth. While the key stages—such as water flowing from the high-level reservoir through turbines during the day and being pumped back at night—are mentioned, the development is somewhat repetitive, limiting the score to Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The essay has a basic structure with an introduction, an overview, and subsequent body paragraphs detailing the day and night processes. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'While', 'Additionally', and 'Resultantly' are used, though sometimes mechanically or inappropriately, as seen in 'While, during night time'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the paragraphs are short and fragmented, particularly the final paragraph which contains multiple disjointed sentences. Referencing is generally clear, but the overall progression lacks seamless transitions between ideas, placing it firmly at Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate vocabulary for the task, incorporating process-related terms such as 'reservoir', 'generator', 'electricity', 'turbine', and 'pumped'. However, there are notable word choice and spelling errors, such as 'generaor' instead of 'generator', 'doesnot flows' instead of 'does not flow', and 'eachother' as two words. Less common vocabulary is attempted with limited success ('Resultantly'), and repetition of basic terms ('water', 'reservoir', 'electricity') restricts the lexical range to a Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as conditional-like structures ('When water moves from higher level to low it turns the generaor on') and subordinate clauses. However, control over grammar and punctuation is inconsistent. There are numerous errors including subject-verb agreement issues ('water doesnot flows'), missing articles ('from high reservoir from dam to low reservoir'), punctuation errors ('Thats'why'), and unnecessary word inclusions ('depicts that how'). These errors occasionally cause minor strain for the reader, fitting the Band 5.5 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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