Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-13

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 picture illustrate that in hydroelectric power station which type of method that electricity is generated in this station. If we follow this steps, we generate electricity.

Overall, the picture give the information that how electricity is generated in power station. First of all, we store some water in the Dam high level reservoir. The lower part of dam intake open in day time and night time it is close. In day time, flow of water to generate electricity. In night time, flow of water during pumping. The water pass into the generator. Day time, reversible turbines operate the generator the water into the lower level reservoir and night time pump the water into the high level reservoir. This is known as power station. The water pass to the generator and next to the power lines and then it come to the national grid. In this process, we generate electricity by power station.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the central process and include several key features: water is stored in the high-level reservoir, the intake is open by day and closed at night, and the turbines operate differently in the two periods. You also mention the generator, power lines and national grid. However, the account is only partly clear and some stages are inaccurate or incomplete. For example, “The water pass into the generator” suggests water flows through the generator, whereas it drives the turbines, which operate the generator. The overview repeats that electricity is generated but does not clearly summarise the cycle: water flows down to the low-level reservoir by day and is pumped back up at night. Make that two-way process explicit and describe the sequence more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response, beginning with an introduction and then describing the process, and time markers such as “In day time” and “In night time” help distinguish the two operating modes. However, the progression is difficult to follow because stages are repeated and connections between them are unclear. The sequence “The water pass into the generator” followed by “The water pass to the generator and next to the power lines” confuses the movement of water with the transmission of electricity. The overview also overlaps with the later description rather than establishing the main cycle. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and the process, then describe the daytime route in order before explaining the reverse nighttime flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “reservoir,” “intake,” “reversible turbines,” “power lines” and “national grid,” which helps identify the main components. However, the range is limited and several phrases are repetitive or imprecise, such as “generate electricity” and “the water pass.” Some word combinations do not express the intended technical relationship clearly; for instance, water does not pass into the generator, but turns the turbines that operate it. More precise process verbs and accurate names for the reservoirs would improve clarity. Aim to vary repeated wording and use terms such as “flows,” “drives,” “transmits” and “is pumped back” where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response relies mainly on short, simple statements, with a few attempts to connect ideas, but grammatical errors occur throughout and sometimes make relationships unclear. Examples include “The picture illustrate” and “the picture give,” where the singular subject requires a singular verb, and “The water pass,” which also needs subject–verb agreement. The opening sentence, “which type of method that electricity is generated,” is not formed as a clear grammatical clause. Articles and sentence structure are also problematic in phrases such as “in hydroelectric power station.” Practise building accurate sentences with a clear subject and verb, and use a controlled sequence of present-simple passive forms, such as “Water is released” and “electricity is transmitted.”

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