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 given Hydroelectric power station diagram illustrates the process of electricity generation from river water.

Overall, the process of electricity generation is carried out during day time while the water is sent back to high-level reserviour during night time. The dam is constructed near the river.From the bottom area of the dam, the process is regulated for the generation of electricity.Two types of water reservoir are used, one is high-level and the other is low-level.The high-level reservoir is located behind the dam, from where water is allowed to flow during the day time, which crosses power station and reached the low-level reservoir.The process is reversed during the night time.

The water from river store in high-level reservior, then during day time it is allowed to escape in to the power station,where reversible turbines, which operate generator during day time produce power lines which then reached the national grid. Similarly, the reversible turbines present in the power station pump water back into the high-level reservior during night time from the low-level reservior.

The cycle of generation of electricity continues throughout the day and night. Reversible turbines play a major role in the production of electricity. There is a whole setup which is used and installed near the dams to generate electricity.It follows few steps but they should be regulated with intense care and management.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response identifies the key operating contrast: water flows from the high-level reservoir through the station to generate electricity by day, while the process reverses at night to return water uphill. It also includes the generator, power lines and national grid, so the main stages are recognisable. This gives a relevant account of the diagram, with an overview and supporting details. However, some points are unclear or imprecise: “The water from river store in high-level reservoir” does not clearly explain that the river feeds the reservoir, and the description of the dam and intake is vague. The final comments about careful management and the setup being near dams are not shown in the diagram and add little. More precise coverage of the intake and the two-way flow would make the account more complete and better developed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to a description of the daytime and nighttime stages. Linking expressions such as “Overall,” “then,” and “Similarly” help signal the sequence and contrast. However, progression is weakened by repetition: the day/night reversal is stated in the overview, repeated in the next paragraph, and revisited in the conclusion. Some connections are also awkward, as in “which crosses power station and reached the low-level reservoir,” where the relationship between the water flow and the station is not clearly expressed. The final paragraph shifts from describing the diagram to general comments, interrupting the process account. Grouping the stages into a concise overview and a clearly ordered description, while removing repeated claims, would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “high-level reservoir,” “low-level reservoir,” “reversible turbines,” “generator,” and “national grid.” These terms show awareness of the diagram’s specific components, and phrases such as “the process is reversed” communicate the central cycle. However, several word choices and collocations are imprecise, including “water store in” and “produce power lines,” which make parts of the description less natural. Spelling is inconsistent for “reservoir,” appearing as “reserviour” and “reservior,” and “day time” is better written as “daytime.” Aim for accurate process verbs and standard spelling, and avoid vague phrases such as “whole setup” when a specific component or stage can be named.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts a mix of simple and complex structures, including a relative clause in “from where water is allowed to flow” and a contrast between daytime and nighttime operations. The main meaning is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. For example, “The water from river store” has problems with the article and verb agreement, while “which crosses power station and reached the low-level reservoir” shifts tense and has an unclear clause structure. Missing spaces after full stops and commas, as in “river.From” and “station,where,” also affect punctuation. Use consistent present simple for a process description, check articles and subject–verb agreement, and divide long or crowded sentences into clearer clauses.

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