Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The figure illustrates the process of electricity generation in a hydroelectric power station. Overall, the water from high-level reservoir flows into the power station during the day time and electricity is produced through the generator while at night water is pumped back into the dam.

Water from a river enters the dam of high-level reservoir and flows toward the power station in the day. Meanwhile, electricity produced at the power station by a generator, is supplied to the national grid through power lines.

During the night time water from the low-level reservoir moves toward the high-level reservoir through pumping. Reversible turbines are used to pump the water into high-level reservoir in the night. Whereas, the reversible turbines are also responsible for operating the generator during the day. In addition, water intake from the high-level reservoir is open in the day but closed at night. The process again starts in the day ensuring a continous production of electricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main operating cycle and give a clear overview: water flows from the high-level reservoir to generate electricity by day, then is pumped back at night. You also include the intake’s day/night status and explain the generator’s connection to the national grid. These relevant details support the process description. Some stages are less fully explained, however: the account does not clearly describe water passing through the turbines to the low-level reservoir during daytime, and “water from a river enters the dam” is less precise than saying the river feeds the high-level reservoir. The claim of “continuous production” is not clearly established by the diagram, which shows a day/night cycle. More precise sequencing and fuller coverage of the water’s route would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by the daytime process and then the nighttime cycle. This makes the main contrast easy to follow, and linking expressions such as “Meanwhile,” “During the night time,” and “In addition” help connect details. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear. “Whereas” begins a sentence without a contrasting clause, and “The process again starts in the day” does not clearly refer back to a specific stage. The daytime route could also be sequenced more explicitly, from the intake through the turbines to the low-level reservoir. Use cohesive devices to show the order and relationship between stages, rather than adding them where a full connection is not expressed.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “high-level reservoir,” “reversible turbines,” “generator,” “pumped,” and “national grid.” These terms are relevant and generally communicate the diagram’s main features. Some word choices and collocations are less precise: “enters the dam of high-level reservoir” confuses the dam with the reservoir, while “water intake from the high-level reservoir” is awkward for describing the intake’s status. “Continous” is also misspelled, and repeated use of “water,” “day,” and “night” limits variety. Aim for accurate process verbs and natural collocations, such as “flows into the reservoir,” “passes through the turbines,” and “is conveyed to the grid.” This would make the description more precise without sacrificing clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex forms, including the overview contrast “while at night…” and the clause “but closed at night.” Most sentences remain understandable, and the sequence of events is generally clear. Some grammatical errors persist, particularly with articles and sentence construction. For example, “water from high-level reservoir” needs an article, and “a generator, is supplied” has an unnecessary comma separating the subject from its verb. “Whereas, the reversible turbines…” is an incomplete or awkwardly attached contrast, while “water intake … is open” does not clearly make the intake itself the subject. Practise forming complete contrast clauses and checking articles, punctuation, and subject–verb relationships. Greater control of these patterns would make the process description smoother.

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