Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-09

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 linear process illustrates the production of electicity in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, it is a day and night process which consist of several stages, starting with flowing river and finising at the power station with the help of generator.

It begins with the river flowing into the dam at high-level reservior which develops a pressure of water. After that, the flow of water from dam puts pressure on generator at power station which results in the production of electricity. This power station has a power connection lines to national grid.

In following, the water at power station stops low level reservoir dam during the day. Then, this water gets reversed to high-level reservior from the same passage with the help of reversible turbine at power station which works during night. The reserviour at high-level has a way to get the water back, its called intake. This intake works during day, while it closed during nights.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the process as involving both day and night operation and include several key components, including the reservoirs, intake, reversible turbines, generator and national grid. This gives the response a relevant overview and covers much of the diagram. However, some stages are unclear or inaccurately described: water flows from the high-level reservoir through the turbines to the low-level reservoir during the day, rather than flowing from the dam to put pressure on the generator. The account of the night cycle is also difficult to follow, and the overview incorrectly suggests the process finishes at the power station; the water is pumped back to the high-level reservoir. To strengthen the response, explain the two directions of water flow and the turbines’ different functions more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs describing stages. Sequencing phrases such as “It begins,” “After that” and “Then” help signal progression. However, the sequence is not consistently easy to follow because some links between stages are unclear. For example, “the water at power station stops low level reservoir dam” does not clearly explain that water reaches the low-level reservoir during the day. “In following” is also an awkward transition, and the final sentences introduce the intake after the night cycle without clearly connecting it to the earlier description. Organise the body around the daytime and nighttime cycles, and use clear references to the water, turbines and reservoirs.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “high-level reservoir,” “national grid,” “intake” and “reversible turbine,” showing an adequate range for describing the diagram. Some choices, however, are imprecise or do not collocate naturally: “puts pressure on generator” does not accurately describe the water driving the turbines, while “stops low level reservoir dam” obscures the movement of water. There are also spelling errors in “electicity,” “reservior” and “reserviour,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process verbs and consistent technical terms, such as “flows,” “drives” and “is pumped back.” Proofreading spelling and choosing natural combinations will make the description clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and more complex forms, including the overview clause “which consist of several stages” and the contrast “while it closed during nights.” The meaning is generally recoverable, but some grammatical errors occur across the response. For example, “which consist” needs subject–verb agreement, and “while it closed” is missing the auxiliary verb “is.” Articles and sentence patterns also need attention in phrases such as “at high-level reservior” and “puts pressure on generator.” The sentence beginning “In following” is not formed naturally. Practise accurate present-simple descriptions and check agreement, articles and auxiliary verbs; these corrections would improve control while retaining your attempts at complex sentences.

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