Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The diagram illustrates the process of electricity generation and water managementin a hydroelectric power station during two different periods day and night.

Overall,the system operates as a reversible cyclic process conssisting of two main stages. During the day water flows downhill to generate electricity, while at night ,water is pumped back to the main reservoir to reset the system for next day.

In the day time the intake of high level resevoir,which is supplied by a river and contained by a dam,remains open.Water flows downward through a large pipe towardss the power station.The force of this downward flowing water powers a generator located inside the station.The electricity produced by generator is then transmitted via power lines directly to the national grid for public consumption.the water flows out and is collected in a low level reseervoir.At night the operation reverses. The intake at the high -level reservoir is closed.the generator in power station operates in reverse.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the key contrast between daytime generation and nighttime pumping, and your overview accurately describes the process as a cycle. The daytime account includes the river-fed upper reservoir, open intake, downward water flow, generator, power lines and national grid, so the main stages are recognisable. However, the description becomes incomplete at the point where the process reverses: it says the generator “operates in reverse” but does not explain that the reversible turbines pump water from the low-level reservoir back to the high-level reservoir at night. This leaves an important stage underdeveloped, despite the otherwise relevant coverage. To strengthen the report, describe the return flow explicitly and clarify the turbines’ changing function.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a concise overview, and a chronological account divided between daytime and nighttime. The contrast markers “During the day” and “At night” help readers follow the cycle, and the sequence from the reservoir to the grid is generally logical. Some connections are less smooth because the final paragraph stops after stating that the generator operates in reverse, without completing the nighttime sequence back to the upper reservoir. There are also awkward spaces and punctuation around transitions, such as “Overall,the” and “At night ,water,” which interrupt the flow. Complete the final stage and use consistent paragraphing and punctuation to make the progression more controlled.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “downward flowing water,” “transmitted,” “national grid,” and “reversible cyclic process.” These choices communicate the main subject and show some ambition beyond basic wording. However, several spelling errors and imprecise expressions reduce accuracy, including “resevoir,” “reseervoir,” and “towardss.” “The force of this downward flowing water powers a generator” is understandable, but “drives the turbines, which operate the generator” would describe the mechanism more precisely. Likewise, “reset the system” is less formal and exact than “return water to the upper reservoir.” Check spelling carefully and favour precise technical collocations when describing each component’s role.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of sentence forms, including a complex overview with “while” and a sequence of clauses describing the daytime process. Most of the meaning remains understandable, but grammatical control is uneven. For example, “the electricity produced by generator” needs an article, and “the intake of high level reservoir” has an unclear grammatical relationship; “the intake to the high-level reservoir” would be clearer. The final sentence, “the generator in power station operates in reverse,” also needs an article and does not form a complete account of the nighttime process. Commas are frequently misplaced or missing, particularly around introductory phrases. Aim for accurate articles and sentence boundaries before adding further complexity.

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