Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

The diagram illustarates how electricity produce in hydroelectric power station.

Overall, water come from the river and water's flow generate electricity from the power station electricity generator.

Dam build in river in high level reservoir water goes to power station generator and then goes into the low level reservoir in the day and inn the night the

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 3.0

The response falls well short of the minimum length requirement of 150 words, stopping abruptly at only 57 words and remaining incomplete. While it attempts to address the prompt by identifying the topic of electricity generation in a hydroelectric power station, the content is extremely minimal. It touches upon the water coming from the river and flowing to the generator, but it fails to present a fully developed overview or report the main features and comparisons required for Task 1. The explanation of the day and night cycle is cut off mid-sentence. To reach a higher level, the response must meet the word count requirement and present a comprehensive summary of all the key stages shown in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 3.5

The response attempts to use a basic introductory sentence and an overall summary statement, showing some awareness of how a report should be structured. However, because the text breaks off prematurely at 57 words, there is no true logical progression or development of ideas. Paragraphing is not properly established, and cohesive devices are virtually absent apart from basic conjunctions and sequencing words. Referencing between the day and night cycle becomes confused and incomplete. To improve cohesion, the writer needs to write a full response using clear paragraphs, proper linking words to sequence the steps of the process, and accurate referencing to guide the reader through the cycle.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The vocabulary used is very basic and repetitive, relying on everyday words such as 'water', 'river', 'power station', and 'generator'. There are several spelling and word-form errors, such as 'illustarates' instead of 'illustrates' and 'produce' instead of 'produced'. The limited range of language restricts the ability to describe the complex mechanical processes accurately. To achieve a higher band, the student needs to incorporate a wider variety of precise, less common vocabulary related to industrial processes and water flow, such as 'reservoir', 'conduit', 'turbine', and 'discharge', while ensuring accurate spelling and word formation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0

The grammatical structures attempted are very limited and basic, consisting of simple clauses. There are frequent errors in grammar and sentence construction, including missing auxiliary verbs ('how electricity produce'), missing prepositions, and incorrect article usage ('Dam build in river in high level reservoir'). The incomplete final sentence demonstrates a complete lack of structural control. To improve this criterion, the writer must use a wider mix of simple and complex sentence forms, ensure correct verb tenses and passive voice structures for describing a process, and pay careful attention to articles and prepositions.

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

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