Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-09-30
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 generation of electricity at a power station.Overall,dam water flows towards generator to generate electricity which is distributed through powerlines to national grid.
River water is mostly used. when water level rises high in resorvior the spills ways of the dam open. This intake takes place during the day and at night the spillways close. This water rushes towards the poer genrator creating electicity while it flows in speed.
Reversible turbines operate the generator during the day and the electricity reaches the generator through whivh it is distributed into powerlines which the pass it to national grid for further distribution on national level.Another role of reversible turbines is that during the night when the water in low=level in resorvior after power generation. These turbines move the water back to the dam by pumping it.Hence, the cycle continues.
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 response attempts to summarise the process of electricity generation in a hydroelectric power station, mentioning key stages such as the high-level reservoir, intake, reversible turbines, generator, and national grid. However, there are notable omissions and inaccuracies in describing the complete cycle, particularly regarding the low-level reservoir and the daytime versus night-time operations. Furthermore, the length requirement of 150 words was not met, as the student's text contains only 140 words. This under-length shortfall directly impacts Task Achievement, resulting in a capped score.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The text exhibits some organisation with an opening overview and a chronological flow through the diagram's stages. However, paragraphing is poorly handled, with large blocks of text and sentences clumped together incorrectly. Cohesive devices are frequently awkward or inaccurate, such as 'when water level rises high in resorvior the spills ways of the dam open' and 'through whivh it is distributed'. Referencing is sometimes unclear, and progression between ideas lacks smooth transitions, leading to a mechanical and disjointed overall arrangement.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with noticeable spelling and word-choice errors throughout the text. Examples include 'resorvior' (reservoir), 'spills ways' (spillways), 'poer genrator' (power generator), 'electicity' (electricity), and 'whivh' (which). While the student attempts some less common vocabulary related to the prompt, such as 'reversible turbines', 'distribution', and 'national grid', the high frequency of lexical and spelling errors restricts the range to a minimally adequate level for the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar and punctuation is weak. There are frequent errors in verb forms, missing articles, and awkward phrasing, such as 'when the water in low=level in resorvior after power generation' and 'powerlines which the pass it'. Punctuation is also problematic, including missing spaces after periods ('Overview,dam') and incorrect word spacing. These recurring structural and grammatical errors cause some difficulty for the reader.
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