Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The given diagram illustrates how electricity is produced in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall,it is an manchinery process it involves in couple of steps from the flow of river water to low level reservoir.

The process begans with the river water comes and reservoirs at the high levels behind the dam wall.Followed by this water intake open at day times and closes at night times.In day it produces electricity from flowing of water this water comes to lower level of reservoir in the day time .

And there is an powerstation which allocated with generator to downwards of generator reversible turbine is present it is assist to operate generator during sun light and pump up water into high level of reservoir in the night times.

There are power lines which is attached to generator this lines assist to supply the current to various transformers with the national grid.In power station current generally generates

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.0
Lexical Resource5.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy4.5
Overall5.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a hydroelectric process and include several central features: water is stored behind a dam, the intake operates by day, water reaches the lower reservoir, and the turbines pump water back at night. However, the overview is unclear and does not accurately summarise the cycle: “it involves in couple of steps from the flow of river water to low level reservoir” omits the key contrast between daytime generation and nighttime pumping. Some details are also inaccurate or unsupported, such as saying the power lines supply current to “various transformers”; the diagram shows a connection to the national grid. To strengthen the response, give a clear overview of the two operating modes, then describe the stages in their correct order and avoid adding features not shown.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some organisation: the response begins with an introduction, gives a brief overview, and then describes the water flow and electrical output. The sequence from the river to the reservoirs and power station is partly traceable. However, progression is not consistently clear, particularly in the long paragraph beginning “The process begans,” where daytime flow, the generator, and nighttime pumping are combined without clear separation. Linking phrases such as “Followed by this” are awkward, and the final sentence repeats the idea of electricity generation rather than completing the process description. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and the stages, and organise the main body chronologically, with explicit contrasts between day and night.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant process vocabulary, including “high level reservoir,” “intake,” “generator,” “reversible turbine,” and “national grid,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, such as “reservoirs at the high levels,” “allocated with generator,” and “supply the current to various transformers.” “Machinery process” is also not a natural description of the diagram. These choices sometimes make the intended meaning difficult to follow. Aim for precise process language, for example “water is stored in the upper reservoir,” “the generator is connected to the turbines,” and “electricity is transmitted to the national grid.” Check spelling and word forms as well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts some longer sentences and sequencing, but control is weak and errors frequently affect clarity. Examples include “The process begans with the river water comes,” which combines incompatible verb structures, and “Followed by this water intake open,” which lacks a clear subject and correct verb form. Agreement and articles are also problematic in “there is an powerstation” and “these lines assist.” Punctuation is inconsistent, with missing spaces after full stops and a run-on final section. Use straightforward sentence patterns accurately first: “The process begins when river water enters the upper reservoir.” Then practise joining stages with clauses such as “During the day, water flows through the turbines, which drive the generator.”

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