Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-07

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 given diagram illustrates how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, diagram shows flowing water from river and it is stopped by dam, where high-level reservoirs are there. Flow of water generate the electricity during day time in power station and at night flow of water pump.

Process of generating electricity starts when river's water flow into the high-level reservoir build via dam. Flow of water begins generating the electricity during sunlight through generator and it is reserved in the power station. Moreover, power station is built with generator, power lines and national grid which helps electricity to move forward.

At the end, low-level reservoir who stores the water initiate their job at night. Power station which is made with reversible turbines pump water into high-level reservoir during the night. Below dam there is an intake which stays open during day and closed at night. Lastly, flow of water goes to high-level reservoir and entire process repeats everyday to generate electricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as a cycle and include several key components, including the river, reservoirs, intake, turbines, generator and national grid. However, some important stages are unclear or inaccurately described. For example, the account does not clearly explain that water flows from the high-level reservoir through the turbines to the low-level reservoir during the day, generating electricity, and is pumped back uphill at night. The statement that electricity “is reserved in the power station” is not supported by the diagram, which shows it being transmitted through power lines to the national grid. The overview also gives an unclear account of the day/night contrast. To strengthen the response, summarise both operating modes accurately and distinguish water movement from electricity transmission.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs describing stages of the process. It also uses sequencing and linking expressions such as “Overall,” “Moreover,” and “At the end.” However, progression is not consistently clear: the daytime process is only partly described before the response shifts to the nighttime cycle, and “At the end” is confusing because the process is cyclical. Some references are also difficult to follow, particularly “their job” and “the entire process.” Organise the body in the diagram’s sequence, then clearly separate the daytime flow from the reverse nighttime pumping. More precise links between stages would make the account easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “high-level reservoir,” “intake,” “reversible turbines,” “power lines” and “national grid,” which helps identify the main equipment. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear. “Flowing water … is stopped by dam” does not precisely describe water being controlled by the dam, while “electricity … is reserved” is not an appropriate description of transmission. “During sunlight” is also an awkward way to refer to daytime. Aim for precise process verbs such as “flows,” “passes through,” “drives,” “generates” and “is transmitted.” This would make the description more natural and reduce ambiguity without requiring unnecessarily technical vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “when” and “which,” and the overall meaning can usually be understood. However, errors in sentence structure and grammatical forms are frequent enough to make some relationships unclear. Examples include “Overall, diagram shows,” “Flow of water generate,” and “reservoir build via dam”; these need appropriate articles, agreement and verb forms. The sentence “At the end, low-level reservoir who stores the water initiate their job at night” also has problems with relative pronouns and subject–verb agreement. Practise accurate present-simple descriptions of processes, checking articles and singular/plural agreement. Shorter, well-controlled sentences would help you explain each stage clearly before attempting more complex structures.

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