Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-29
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 given diagram depicts the process of electricity produced in a hydroelectricity power station.
Overall, it can be seen that high water flow from upon side during the day and it going again in the high-level reservior during the night.
Looking at the process in more details. First of all a large quantity of water come to the reservior which is on high level and the water is stoped dam. In the following process gates of dam open during the day and water flow from high level to generate electricity. Furthermore, the water flow with high pressure and rotate turbines which connected with generator.
Moreover, electricity sent to powerlines from generator and then national grid. The water which is flow during the day it is collected in low-reservior. In the next step, turbines which operate generator during the day it worked as a pump at night and sent water into high-level reservior.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to summarise the main features of the hydroelectric power station process diagram, but the response suffers from significant inaccuracies and omissions. While the general cycle involving daytime electricity generation and night-time water pumping is mentioned, the overview is extremely brief and poorly phrased ('high water flow from upon side during the day and it going again in the high-level reservior during the night'). Furthermore, important details of the diagram, such as the low-level reservoir and the specific roles of the intake and reversible turbines, are described with confusing language and numerous omissions regarding how the entire cyclical system operates. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed, earning a Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is divided into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs, showing an attempt at logical paragraphing. However, the progression of ideas is frequently disrupted by poor sentence structure and weak cohesive devices. Phrases like 'Looking at the process in more details. First of all a large quantity...' and 'Moreover, electricity sent to powerlines...' demonstrate mechanical and inadequate cohesion. Referencing is also unclear at times, making it difficult to follow the precise direction of the water flow between stages. Overall organisation is present, but the lack of smooth transitions and faulty cohesive devices limit the text to a Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student uses a very basic and limited vocabulary range appropriate for describing the diagram, accompanied by persistent spelling and word-choice errors. Examples include 'reservior', 'stoped' (stopped), 'flow' used as a verb incorrectly ('water flow' instead of 'water flows'), and 'low-reservior'. While some task-specific terms are attempted (such as 'turbines', 'generator', and 'powerlines'), the noticeable errors and frequent repetition of basic terms cause occasional difficulty for the reader and prevent the lexical score from rising above Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
Grammatical control is weak throughout the response, featuring a very limited range of structures. Simple sentences predominate, and attempts at complex or passive structures are consistently faulty, such as 'the process of electricity produced' (instead of 'electricity being produced') and 'the water is stoped dam'. There are frequent errors in tense usage, article omission, and subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'water come', 'turbines which connected'). These frequent errors frequently impede smooth reading and demonstrate control characteristic of a Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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