Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-03

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 diagram delineates how electticity is generated in hydroelectric power station.

overall, In the generation of electricity water comes from the river and passing through certain processess electricity produce and at last it send towards the national grid from that area electricity is distributed.

It is evident from the diagram that in the begining step the water comes from the river and then it moves in the dam. Intake of water take place during day and close at night. During day the water flow towards the power station where reversible turbines operate to create electricity and send it to generater and water is deminish by low level reservoir. Power line is connected between generator and national grid.

At night intake of water is closes because power stations are removing water. From low level reservoir water is pump into high level reservoir by using the same process of water entering into station

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the main parts of the task by outlining the process of electricity generation and the night-time pumping cycle in a hydroelectric power station. However, the development is somewhat limited and uneven. While you mention key features such as the high-level reservoir, the intake, the power station, and the low-level reservoir, some parts of your explanation lack clarity and are under-developed. For instance, stating that 'water is deminish by low level reservoir' does not accurately or clearly explain the transfer of water and energy output. To reach a higher level, you should extend your descriptions of the process stages with greater precision and ensure all key cyclical movements between day and night are fully articulated.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is a basic logical organisation to the response, and you attempt an overview statement ('overall, In the generation of electricity...'). However, the overall progression lacks strong cohesion. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal linking of sentences is sometimes mechanical or confusing, such as abrupt transitions between ideas in the middle paragraphs. Furthermore, referencing can be unclear, as seen in phrases like 'from that area electricity is distributed', where the precise antecedent is vague. To improve, you need to use cohesive devices more accurately and naturally, and ensure that each paragraph builds smoothly upon the last to guide the reader through the cyclical diagram seamlessly.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

Your lexical range is adequate for a basic summary of the diagram, but it remains limited. You attempt some task-specific vocabulary such as 'reservoir', 'turbines', 'generator', and 'national grid'. However, there are noticeable errors in word choice, word form, and spelling that occasionally impede communication. For example, 'electticity' contains a spelling error, 'deminish' is the wrong word form and choice for describing water flow or storage, and phrases like 'intake of water is closes' show errors in word form. To achieve a higher score, you should incorporate a wider variety of less common vocabulary with greater precision and check your spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response displays a limited range of sentence structures, relying mostly on simple sentences alongside some basic attempts at complex forms, which are frequently faulty. There are persistent errors in grammar throughout the text, including tense consistency, article use, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions. Examples include 'water comes from the river and passing through certain processess electricity produce', 'in the begining step', and 'water is pump into high level reservoir'. These frequent errors can cause some difficulty for the reader. To improve your grammar score, you need to broaden your range of complex structures while maintaining strict control over basic rules such as subject-verb agreement, passive voice constructions, and punctuation.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.