Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-01

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 6.0)

The diagram illlustrates the process of generating electricity in a hydroelectric power station. Overall, the hydroelectric power generation is a continious to and fro process of moving water from the river to the low-level reservoir to the high-level reservoir during day and night respectively.

Water flowing from the river is stored in the high-level reservoir with the help of dam. The water intake opens during the day allowing the water to flow from the reservoir through the turbines of the generator which converts the kinetic energy of the flowing water into electricity. The electricity generated is then stored inside the generator and transmitted through the power lines into the national grid.

The flowing water is kept inside the low-level reservoir which during the night is pumped back into the high-level reservoir. Flow of water is opposite at night as opposed to during the day. The water travels back through the same pipe and this continuous daily cycle keeps on generating hydroelectricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main stages of electricity generation and water pumping in a hydroelectric power station. An appropriate overview is provided in the second sentence, capturing the continuous cycle between the high-level and low-level reservoirs. However, some aspects are under-developed or contain minor inaccuracies. For instance, the statement that electricity is 'stored inside the generator' misinterprets the function of power lines transmitting energy directly to the national grid. Additionally, details regarding the day and night operational differences could be extended further. Nevertheless, the main features of the process are successfully selected and reported, meeting the expectations for this band level.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from the river through the high-level reservoir, power station, and finally to the low-level reservoir. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the daytime generation phase, and the nighttime pumping phase. Cohesive devices are generally well managed, such as 'Overall', 'with the help of', and 'During the day', though referencing is occasionally slightly mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent reliance on 'the water'. It sits comfortably at a mid-level where the overall organization is clear, but subtle improvements in logical connectors and referencing would elevate it further.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The writer uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a technical process, attempting less common items such as 'continuous to and fro process', 'kinetic energy', and 'reversible turbines'. However, there are some spelling and word-choice errors that slightly hinder precision, such as 'illlustrates' (illustration typo) and 'continious' (continuous). The phrasing 'The flowing water is kept inside the low-level reservoir' is also slightly unnatural in collocation terms. These minor inaccuracies do not impede communication, but they prevent the score from reaching a higher band where vocabulary control is more precise and natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating adequate control over basic structures and attempting relative clauses and participial phrases, such as 'water flowing from the river is stored' and 'which converts the kinetic energy'. There are some errors in grammar and punctuation, including missing articles ('with the help of dam' instead of 'a dam') and minor prepositions or agreement slips. However, these errors are relatively infrequent and rarely impede communication, allowing the reader to follow the mechanical steps of the diagram easily.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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