Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-16

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 pictorial representation illustrates how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station. Overall the river is the first step and the generator is the last step.

To begin with, hydroelectric power station generate elecricity first step is water in the river collect high-level reservoir in the dam and then water go out with intake in the day. The flow of water to generate electricity in day to down word in night the water during pumping upside.

Water comes with pressure in the reversible turbines in a day and the turbine moves with the pressure of water. They produce electricity and the water spin the trubine and water goes in low-level reservoir in night the turbine moves backword. Because the high-level reservoir intake is closed.

In conclusion, the whole process is little risky but they provide electricity without doing so much effort the water in dams generate electricity easily and use it without any so much risk.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the topic and mention several relevant stages, including the river, reservoir, intake, turbines and generator. However, the overview that “the river is the first step and the generator is the last step” does not capture the key feature: water moves from the high-level reservoir to the low-level reservoir by day to generate electricity, then is pumped back at night. The account of the night cycle is unclear and partly inaccurate, and the national grid and power lines are omitted. The final comments about the process being “risky” and requiring little effort are unsupported by the diagram. The response is also 148 words, below the 150-word minimum. A fuller, accurate summary of both operating cycles would strengthen task coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic structure, with an opening, a sequence of process details and a concluding paragraph. Connectors such as “To begin with,” “then” and “In conclusion” help signal movement between parts. However, the progression is not consistently clear: the sentence about water flowing downward by day and upward at night is difficult to follow, and the next paragraph shifts between turbine action, electricity production and the night cycle without clearly separating them. The conclusion also introduces an evaluation rather than summarising the process. Organise the description into a clear overview followed by the daytime sequence and then the nighttime return cycle, using references such as “this water” only when their meaning is clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some task-related vocabulary, including “high-level reservoir,” “intake,” “reversible turbines” and “low-level reservoir,” which helps identify the main components. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make the process difficult to understand, such as “water comes with pressure” and “the turbine moves with the pressure of water.” There are also spelling errors, including “elecricity,” “trubine” and “backword.” Some expressions, such as “pictorial representation,” are less natural than the direct language typically used to describe a diagram. Aim for precise process verbs and accurate spelling, for example, “flows,” “drives,” “generates” and “is pumped back.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the basic sequence can sometimes be understood. However, control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence structure, verb forms and agreement frequently make relationships between stages unclear. For example, “hydroelectric power station generate” lacks subject–verb agreement, while “water in the river collect high-level reservoir” is missing grammatical links and an appropriate verb form. The sentence beginning “The flow of water to generate electricity in day” is also incomplete, and “the turbine moves backword” does not clearly express the nighttime pumping action. Practise forming complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and use consistent present simple passive forms where appropriate, such as “water is directed” and “electricity is generated.”

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