Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The given diagram illustrates the process by which electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, the process involves several steps; the electricity is generated during the day. Water flow downwards from the high-level reservoir into the power station where electricity is generated and then flows into the low-level reservoir. And at night, those reversible turbines pump water from the low-level reservoir back to high-level reservoir.

Firstly, the river flow into a dam and get accumulated. During the day the gates of the dam opens and water flows downward into the power station. The power station consist of reversible turbines which rotates due to flow of water and operates the generator that produce electricty during the day. This generator is connected to national grid through power lines to transfer electricity.

Furthermore, the water after passing through power station gathers in low level resorvoir. At night, the reversible turbines pumps the water back into the high-level reservoir.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main cycle and give a useful overview: water flows from the high-level reservoir through the station by day, while the turbines return it at night. You also include the generator, power lines and national grid, so the key stages are mostly represented. However, the account is brief and some details are imprecise: the river feeds the high-level reservoir rather than flowing into the dam, and the intake is open by day and closed at night, not simply “the gates of the dam” opening. The response also contains 149 words, one below the required minimum; the eight words copied from the prompt are excluded. Develop the operating details more fully and ensure the report meets the minimum length.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction and overview are followed by the daytime process and then the nighttime return. This makes the overall cycle understandable. However, progression within the paragraphs is sometimes awkward. The overview’s sentence beginning “And at night” is a fragment-like continuation, while “Furthermore” introduces the final stage even though it is part of the same cycle rather than an additional point. The repeated use of “during the day” and “at night” helps orient the reader, but links between stages could be more precise. Use complete sentences and connect each stage explicitly—for example, explain that water passes through the turbines before entering the lower reservoir, then reverses direction at night.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “high-level reservoir,” “reversible turbines,” “generator,” and “national grid,” which allows the reader to follow the main mechanism. However, the range is somewhat limited, and several word choices or forms are inaccurate or repetitive. “The river flow into a dam” is not a natural description of the diagram, and “gates of the dam” is less precise than “intake.” There are also spelling errors in “electricty” and “resorvoir,” and phrases such as “water gathers” are less suitable for describing movement through a system. Aim for precise process verbs and check spelling carefully; this will make the description clearer and more appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, and the sequence is generally understandable. However, errors in agreement and verb forms occur repeatedly: “Water flow downwards,” “the river flow,” “the gates … opens,” “the power station consist,” and “the turbines pumps” should all have correctly matched subjects and verbs. The overview also begins a sentence with “And at night” in a way that leaves the connection to the preceding sentence awkward. Articles are sometimes missing, as in “back to high-level reservoir”; use “the high-level reservoir.” These errors do not prevent understanding, but they limit control. Review subject–verb agreement and articles, then proofread each sentence while keeping a mix of sentence patterns.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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