Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The diagram illustrate how electricity is generated using water in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, the process involves water flowing from a reservior, to generate electricity during the day, while water is pumped back to the upper reservior at night.

To begin with, water which is stored in river, it go to high level reservior at day. Moreover, the water generate electricity through power station, generator helps to move turbines and water reached at low level reservior. At the time they convert into electricity.

Furthermore, dam close at night flow of water pumping at night and pump water into high level reservior.

The water go through a complete proceduree to generate electricity,

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the central contrast between daytime electricity generation and nighttime pumping, which is the key feature of the diagram. However, the account is only partial: it does not clearly explain the full route from the river and high-level reservoir through the intake and reversible turbines, then to the low-level reservoir and back uphill at night. Some details are inaccurate or unclear, such as saying “generator helps to move turbines” and that the dam closes at night; the diagram shows the intake closes, while the turbines pump water back. The response is also below the required 150 words, leaving important stages unexplained. Develop the sequence accurately and include a fuller overview of the two operating modes.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response has a basic overall shape, with an introduction, an overview, and a few stages introduced by “To begin with” and “Furthermore.” The day/night contrast gives the reader a starting point for following the process. However, progression is difficult to track because the stages are compressed and some links between them are unclear. For example, “Moreover” does not clearly connect the reservoir to the power station, and “At the time they convert into electricity” has an unclear reference. The final sentence repeats the general idea rather than completing the sequence. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and the process, and connect each stage in its actual order with clear references.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “hydroelectric power station,” “generator,” “turbines,” and “low level reservoir,” so the topic is recognisable. However, the range is limited and several choices are imprecise or repetitive: “water generate electricity” and “pump water into high level reservoir” do not clearly describe the roles of the equipment and flow. Repeated use of “water” and “reservoir” also makes the account less precise. Spelling errors such as “reservior” and “proceduree” are noticeable. Build a more accurate set of process terms and use them consistently, for example “intake,” “reversible turbines,” “power lines,” and “national grid,” while checking spelling and natural word combinations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts a few longer sentence forms, including “while water is pumped back…” and “water which is stored in river…,” but control is inconsistent and most sentences rely on simple structures. Errors in verb form and agreement occur in “The diagram illustrate,” “it go,” and “the water generate.” Sentence construction is also faulty in “water which is stored in river, it go to high level reservior at day,” where the clause is incomplete and the subject is repeated. Articles and tense are often missing or inconsistent, and the final comma leaves the sentence unfinished. Use clear present-simple sentences to describe the process, then add a small number of accurately formed clauses to show the day/night contrast.

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