Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-04
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 4.5)
The given diagram illustrates how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station. There are some different steps to produce a electricity.
Overall, we should have a enough space with a big river and then we must have a high-level reservon. Then, high experts engineers decied to build a dam which have a intake with day:open, night:closed.
While dam have been constructed successfully then , water flow to generate electricity in day time and then, in night water flow during pumping.Water went into a reversible turbine which operate generator in a day time and pump water into high-level reservoir in night time.Water went into a power station with the help of generator and it process repeat day by day
. In day time, water went into a low-level reservoir and it reverse in night time .Water went with the help of power lines and it produce national grid and it helps to produce electricity.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response only partially addresses the task and falls slightly short of the minimum word count requirement, with 145 words written (excluding prompt-copied text). The candidate attempts to describe the hydroelectric power station process, but the mechanical retelling includes several inaccuracies and omissions regarding how the cycle operates between day and night. Furthermore, inappropriate conversational commentary and personal opinions appear in the second paragraph, such as 'high experts engineers decied to build a dam'. To reach a higher level, the writer needs to present a clearer and more accurate overview of the entire process without adding irrelevant personal observations, ensure all key stages are properly covered, and meet the minimum length requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0
The response shows some basic organisation with transitional words like 'Overall' and 'Then', but there is no clear overall progression. The paragraphing is irregular, and cohesive devices are frequently inaccurate or repetitive. Referencing is often unclear, leaving the relationship between sentences and stages difficult to follow, as seen in confusing transitions like 'Water went into a power station with the help of generator and it process repeat day by day.' To improve in this criterion, the writer must ensure logical sequencing of ideas, use a wider and more accurate range of cohesive devices to connect stages of the process smoothly, and structure the text into clear, purposeful paragraphs that reflect the stages of the diagram.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is limited and barely adequate for the task. The writer relies heavily on basic words and makes several noticeable spelling and word choice errors, such as 'reservon' instead of reservoir, 'decied' instead of decided, and inappropriate phrasing like 'high experts engineers'. These lexical limitations and errors can cause some difficulty for the reader. To achieve a higher score, the writer needs to incorporate a wider and more precise range of vocabulary related to processes and engineering, such as nouns and verbs describing water flow, turbines, and electricity generation, while maintaining accurate spelling and word formation.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5
The response displays a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying primarily on simple sentences with frequent attempts at complex or passive constructions that are faulty, such as 'While dam have been constructed successfully then , water flow'. There are frequent errors in verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, and prepositions, including 'in day time' and 'in night'. These errors are noticeable and occasionally cause difficulty in understanding the meaning. To improve, the writer must work on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct verb tenses for describing a continuous process, and improving control over articles and prepositions within grammatical patterns.
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.