Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-17

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 diagram illustrates the process by which the electricity is generated from hydroelectric power station. Overall, to produce electricity, water as main component is reserved at high-level reservoir flows to the generator and it flows from the lower level.

Initally, the water is stored at high-level reservoir area and it flows through the gate of the dam. In the day water flows downward through a pipe called as penstock into the generator. Meanwhile, the force of water passes the turbine and causes it rotate.

The rotation of the turbines help the generator at the power station to produce electricity. They are then distributed into the power lines for the national grid and the water is reserved at lower level. At night, to generate electricity, water from the low-level reservoir flows back in upward direction, by rotationg the turbines. In result, the engery to produce electricity can be redused and the whole cycle contiunes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as a cycle and include several key stages: water moves from the high-level reservoir through the dam, drives turbines, and reaches the lower reservoir, while electricity is sent to the national grid. However, the overview is unclear about the two operating modes, and the night stage is misrepresented: water is pumped back uphill to the high-level reservoir, rather than flowing upward to generate electricity. The statement that energy production is reduced is also not supported by the diagram. Some details, such as the intake being open by day and closed at night, and the generator’s role, could be reported more precisely. A clearer overview contrasting daytime generation with nighttime pumping, followed by accurate stage descriptions, would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction and overview are followed by a description of the daytime and nighttime stages. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “Meanwhile,” and “At night” help the reader follow the cycle. However, the progression becomes unclear in the final section because “At night, to generate electricity” conflicts with the earlier description and the diagram’s pumping process. Some references are also imprecise: “They” in “They are then distributed” could refer to the turbines or the electricity, and “it” in “causes it rotate” is unclear. Use explicit links such as “During the day” and “At night, the turbines reverse to pump water uphill,” and ensure each pronoun has a clear referent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “high-level reservoir,” “turbine,” “generator,” “power lines,” and “national grid,” which helps convey the main components. There are also attempts at more specific terminology, such as “penstock,” although this label is not shown in the diagram and is less useful than accurately naming the intake and conduit. Several word choices or collocations are awkward or inaccurate: water is “stored” rather than “reserved,” and “the energy to produce electricity can be reduced” does not describe the nighttime pumping stage. Spelling errors such as “Initally,” “rotationg,” “engery,” and “contiunes” are noticeable. Build precision by using terms such as “flows,” “is channelled,” and “is pumped back” consistently.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and longer sentences, including clauses beginning with “Meanwhile” and “At night,” and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. Examples include “electricity is generated from hydroelectric power station,” which needs an article and a more natural construction, and “causes it rotate,” which requires “causes it to rotate.” Subject–verb agreement is also inconsistent in “The rotation of the turbines help,” and the final sentence has a faulty structure: “In result, the engery to produce electricity can be redused.” Practise accurate articles, infinitive patterns, and agreement, and use a clear sentence to explain that water is pumped uphill at night.

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