Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-08

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 given chart illustrates how electrical power is generated in hydroelectric power station in different stages.

This diagram shows the various steps to produce elecricity in hydroelectric power station. Initially, dam release water to generate electrical power in day time, this power transfer to power station where turbine rotates and release power to generator. This power station is the source of electricity in every city.

Furthermore, generator produce electricity towards national grid through power lines. Then it comes to reversible turbines where low-level reservoir pump water into high-level reservoir in night time. Turbine pumping water into dam and the whole cycl will continue.

There is the complete structure of hydroelectrical power station where electricity is produced by the use of restoring water in dam. The flow of water tongenerate electricity in day and flow of water during pumping in night, this is the whole process taht visualised by the given piture.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a hydroelectric process and mention its main day/night distinction: water generates electricity during the day and is pumped back at night. You also refer to the generator, power lines, national grid, and both reservoirs, so the response is relevant. However, the stages are not reported accurately or in a sufficiently clear sequence. For example, the dam does not itself release power, and the account says the low-level reservoir pumps water rather than explaining that the reversible turbines pump it back to the high-level reservoir. The overview is also vague, particularly “the complete structure” and “restoring water in dam.” To improve, give a concise overview of the reversible cycle, then describe the daytime and nighttime flows precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has some paragraphing and uses basic sequencing and linking expressions such as “Initially,” “Furthermore,” and “Then.” These help signal that the process has stages. However, the overall progression is difficult to follow because the description moves from the dam to the power station, back to the generator, and then to the turbines without consistently showing how the stages connect. The final paragraph repeats the day/night process rather than adding a clear concluding overview. Some references, such as “this power” and “it,” are also unclear. Organise the account in the order shown: daytime water flow and electricity generation first, followed by the nighttime pumping cycle, using clear links between each stage.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “reversible turbines,” “low-level reservoir,” “high-level reservoir,” “generator,” and “national grid.” This gives the reader some understanding of the subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or combinations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the process unclear. For instance, “dam release water” and “release power to generator” do not describe the actions precisely; “the whole cycl” and “restoring water in dam” are also unclear. There are noticeable spelling errors, including “elecricity,” “taht,” and “piture.” Aim for precise process verbs such as “flows,” “drives,” “generates,” and “is pumped,” and check spelling and collocations carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a sequence joined by “where” and “Then,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in verb forms and subject–verb agreement occur in phrases such as “dam release water” and “generator produce electricity.” Articles and sentence construction are also problematic in “in hydroelectric power station,” while the sentence beginning “The flow of water to generate electricity in day…” is incomplete and does not form a clear independent clause. These errors sometimes make relationships between stages difficult to understand. Practise accurate present-simple descriptions of processes, checking agreement and articles, and use complete sentences. A clear pattern such as “During the day, water flows through the turbines, which drive the generator” would help.

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