Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-12

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 picture describe the whole process of electricity generationg process step by step.

firstly,water flow from river in a raw form and to store the water dam is constructed infront of the river from there water flow towards dam,the dam gates are opened in the day time to receive the water from the river and close the dam in the night time.

after that the water speedly flow towards the turbine in a power station in the day time and when the turbine rotate in a high speed the electricity is generated and the remaining water pump outward from the dam.

finally,the electricity with the help of power lines added in the national grid station from there the eclectricity transfer for domestic use and also build the low level reservoir where water inflow in day time and discharge water from this reservior at the night to outflow extra water.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main stages, including water moving from the river through the turbines, electricity reaching the national grid, and water collecting in a lower reservoir. However, the account only partially explains the process and contains important inaccuracies: the dam does not simply have gates that receive river water, and the water is not pumped outward from the dam during the day. The key feature that the same system works in two directions is not clearly summarised: water flows down to generate electricity by day, then is pumped back to the high-level reservoir at night. The claim that electricity is transferred for domestic use is not shown in the diagram. A clearer overview and accurate explanation of both operating modes would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows a broadly chronological order, using “firstly,” “after that,” and “finally” to guide the reader through the process. This gives it some organisation, and the main components are introduced in a recognisable sequence. However, the progression is weakened by long, crowded sentences that combine several stages and make relationships unclear. For example, the opening section moves from the river to the dam and its gates without clearly separating these steps. The day and night operations would be easier to follow if presented in distinct paragraphs or clearly contrasted with linking phrases such as “During the day” and “At night.” Some connections, including “from there,” are repeated or vague, so clearer referencing and more controlled sequencing would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “turbine,” “power lines,” “national grid,” and “low level reservoir,” which helps identify the main equipment and stages. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, sometimes making the process difficult to understand. For instance, “water flow from river in a raw form” is not a natural way to describe the river supplying the reservoir, while “remaining water pump outward” does not express the diagram’s night-time pumping cycle. There are also noticeable spelling and word-form errors, such as “generationg,” “eclectricity,” and “reservior.” Aim for precise process verbs such as “flows,” “passes,” “generates,” and “is pumped back,” and check spelling of technical terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts to connect stages in longer sentences and uses sequencing expressions, but the range of sentence structures is limited and complex sentences are often faulty. Errors in verb forms and agreement appear in phrases such as “picture describe” and “water flow,” while missing articles and unclear sentence boundaries occur throughout the opening. The sentence beginning “after that” joins several actions without clear grammatical control, and the final sentence similarly combines the grid and reservoir stages in a way that obscures their relationships. Capitalisation after full stops is also inconsistent. Practise writing shorter, complete sentences first, then combine related steps using accurate clauses—for example, “During the day, water flows through the turbines, which drive the generator.”

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