Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-05
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 linear process of generating electricity from a hydroelectricity power station.
Overall, it is clear that a river water is collected in the dam which is the initial item for producing hydroelectricity; however, there were two intake for ijacting water day intake for ijacting water to power station while night intake is used for pumping water back to a dam. Furthermore, generator is used to convert the water essential energy into electricity form, after it travels through power lines to national grid.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0
The response responds to the task only minimally and fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, stopping short at 85 words. While there is an attempt to outline the process of electricity generation, the information is presented in a very restricted and incomplete manner. The overview mentions some basic elements, but key stages of the diurnal cycle—such as the role of the low-level reservoir and the specific mechanics of the reversible turbines during day and night—are omitted or confused. The writer mentions 'ijacting water' twice with spelling and clarity issues, meaning the core features of the diagram are only partially covered. To improve, the writer must ensure the full process is described from start to finish and meet the word count requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response shows some organisation with an opening introductory sentence and an overall summary paragraph, but there is no clear logical progression across the text as a whole. Cohesive devices are used minimally and somewhat awkwardly, such as 'however, there were two intake for ijacting water' and 'Furthermore, generator is used', which creates a mechanical and disjointed feel. Paragraphing is attempted by separating the introduction from the body, but the single body paragraph is dense and poorly structured, lacking cohesive ties between sentences. Referencing is also imprecise, making it difficult for the reader to follow the flow of information. To reach a higher band, the writer needs to logically sequence ideas and employ a wider, more accurate range of cohesive devices.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is limited and minimally adequate for the task. The writer attempts some less common terms such as 'hydroelectricity', 'generator', and 'national grid', but these are undermined by noticeable errors in word form, spelling, and choice, such as 'ijacting' instead of injecting, and 'essential energy' instead of potential or kinetic energy. There is noticeable repetition of basic terms like 'water' and 'intake'. These lexical shortcomings and spelling inaccuracies cause some difficulty for the reader in fully grasping the intended meaning. To improve, the writer should focus on expanding their vocabulary related to industrial processes and ensuring correct word forms and spelling.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response demonstrates a very limited range of structures, relying mostly on simple sentences with occasional attempts at complex forms that are frequently faulty. There are multiple grammatical errors throughout the text, such as missing articles ('a river water', 'in the dam', 'generator is used'), incorrect noun-verb agreement ('two intake for ijacting'), and preposition errors ('to national grid'). These frequent errors can cause difficulty for the reader and mean that error-free sentences are rare. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to exercise better control over basic grammar rules, particularly articles, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions, while incorporating a wider variety of accurate complex sentence 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.