Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-11

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 diagram outlines the process of producing electricity from water in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, it is a cyclic process where water flow from high-level reservoir to low-level reservoir. Meanwhile, the process of generating electricity is performed.

The process begins with storing water in a high-level reservoir from a river. During the day, water flow through the intake, which is only open during the day, to the low-level reservoir. Meanwhile, there are reversible turbines, which operate generator during the day to produce the electricity from the waterflow. Subsequently, generated electricity transferred to national grid through power lines.

During the night, turbines are used for different purpose. turbines let water to flow through them and this way it changes the flow of water. At the same time water transfered back to the high-level reservoir from the low-level reservoir. Meanwhile the intake is closed so that it stops water to flow back to low-level storage, and this way water is stored to the storage area where it was in the begining.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response identifies the main cycle and distinguishes the daytime generation stage from the nighttime return of water, so it covers the central purpose of the diagram. The overview that water moves from the high-level to the low-level reservoir and is later returned is relevant. However, some stages are unclear or inaccurately described: the daytime flow is said to go “to the low-level reservoir” without clearly explaining its route through the turbines, and the nighttime explanation that the turbines “change[] the flow of water” does not specify that they pump water back uphill. The role of the generator and the connection to the national grid are included, but the process would be more complete with a precise account of the reversible turbines’ two functions and the intake’s operation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by separate descriptions of daytime and nighttime operation. This makes the main contrast easy to follow, and sequencing expressions such as “Overall,” “During the day,” and “During the night” help guide the reader. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical because “Meanwhile” is repeated several times, and some references are not sufficiently clear. For example, “it changes the flow of water” does not specify what “it” refers to or how the flow changes. The final sentence also combines the closed intake, prevention of backflow, and water storage in a way that is difficult to follow. More precise links and clearer sentence boundaries would improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses relevant process vocabulary, including “high-level reservoir,” “intake,” “reversible turbines,” “generator,” and “national grid,” which allows the main stages to be identified. It also attempts suitable terms such as “cyclic process.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or repetitive: “waterflow” is not the natural form here, “different purpose” is imprecise, and “changes the flow of water” does not convey pumping. Spelling and word-form slips such as “transfered” and “begining” also reduce control. Aim for precise process verbs and natural collocations—for example, describe water as flowing through the turbines and being pumped back to the upper reservoir. This would make the account more exact without requiring a much broader vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There is a mix of simple and more complex sentence forms, including the contrast between daytime and nighttime operation, and the overall meaning is generally understandable. Some grammatical errors remain, particularly with verb forms, agreement, and articles. Examples include “water flow” instead of “water flows,” “generated electricity transferred” without an auxiliary, and “turbines … operate generator” without the appropriate article. The sentence beginning “turbines let water to flow” also uses an incorrect verb pattern; “let water flow” is the correct structure. Capitalisation at the start of “turbines” and punctuation around longer clauses need attention as well. Proofreading these recurring patterns would improve accuracy while preserving the useful range of sentence structures already attempted.

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