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 image illustrates the process of electricity generated in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, it is clearly seen that the during day electricity is generated by the rapid flow of river water from the high level reservoir into the power station by which it rotates the generator and electicity is produced and during night it is used to pump back the water.

Firstly, the river water is stored in the High-Level reservoir and during day time the water flows through the dam and reach the power station. Due to the high pressure, the flow of water rotates the generator and then the water is released into the low level reseorvoir. The rotation of reversible turbines generates the electricity and the electicity is supplied to the house holds via power lines with the help of national grid.

Secondly, during night the same generator with the help of reversible turbines is used for pumping the water from low level reservoir to the high level reservoir and the stored water get mixed with river and again the water is used for generating electricity and vice-versa

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main operating cycle and provide an overview contrasting daytime electricity generation with nighttime pumping. The account correctly identifies the high- and low-level reservoirs, reversible turbines, generator, power lines and national grid. However, some details are unclear or not fully supported by the diagram: water does not simply “flow through the dam,” and the claim that it is supplied “to the house holds” is not shown; the diagram only indicates transmission to the national grid. The final statement that stored water “get mixed with river” is also inaccurate or unclear. To strengthen the response, describe the intake opening by day and closing at night, and explain the return flow from the low-level reservoir more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an overview followed by separate descriptions of daytime and nighttime operation. Sequencing words such as “Firstly” and “Secondly” help signal the stages, and the contrast between the two operating modes is easy to follow. However, the overview sentence is overloaded, while the final sentence joins several stages with “and” and “vice-versa,” making the sequence difficult to track. Some references are also unclear, particularly “the same generator” and “the stored water.” Use shorter sentences to separate the turbine’s role from the generator’s, and make each stage explicit. More precise links between the reservoirs, turbines and water flow would make cohesion less mechanical and improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “high level reservoir,” “reversible turbines,” “low level reservoir,” “power lines” and “national grid,” which allows you to describe the main components. There are also some imprecise or unnatural choices: “rapid flow” and “high pressure” are not stated in the diagram, while “water get mixed with river” does not clearly describe the cycle. Spelling errors such as “electicity” and “reseorvoir,” along with the separated form “house holds,” reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process language and consistent compound forms, for example “water flows through the intake” and “is pumped back to the upper reservoir.” This would make the vocabulary more controlled and appropriate to a diagram description.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a passive construction in “electricity is produced” and time clauses beginning “during day” and “during night.” The main stages remain understandable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity. For example, “the during day electricity” has faulty word order, “water flows … and reach” has a subject–verb agreement error, and “the stored water get mixed” uses an incorrect verb form. The long overview also lacks smooth sentence structure, and the final sentence is joined without clear punctuation. Practise accurate articles and time expressions (“during the day”), agreement (“water reaches”), and verb forms (“water is pumped”). Breaking longer sentences into complete clauses would improve control.

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