Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-18

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 shows information about the electricity how ot is generated in a hydropower station.

Overall, it can be seen that there are two reservoirs High-level reservoir and Low-level reservoir. Another interesting information is that we see a power station a big turbine installed here.

Basically, two reservoirs one is high level reservoie and second is low level reservoir. In high level reservoir there ia dam in front of the river which store a massive amount of water. the dam gates are open in the day time and close in the night. Through the dam water flows in a high speed through a steep slope and this water hit a big turbine in a high speed and turbine rotate and produce electricity. After this water stores in a low level reservoir.

Turbine motor is a reversible motor. In the day time water flows thorugh slope but in the night turbines rotate reverse and pushes water toward the high level reservoir and store water in a high level reservoir.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main stages and the key day–night cycle: water passes from the high-level reservoir through the turbines to the low-level reservoir during the day, while the reversible turbines pump it back at night. This gives the response a relevant overview and addresses the central process. However, some details are unclear or imprecise: the dam itself is not described as having gates; the diagram labels an intake that is open by day and closed at night. The generator and connection to the national grid are also omitted, and the opening overview’s reference to a “big turbine” does not explain the system’s main function. Include these features and describe the stages more precisely to make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to the daytime process and then the nighttime return cycle. “After this” and “In the day time” help signal sequence, and the final paragraph usefully contrasts the two operating modes. However, progression is sometimes repetitive: the two reservoirs are introduced in the overview and then immediately restated in the next paragraph. Connections between stages are also occasionally unclear, particularly in “Through the dam water flows in a high speed through a steep slope,” where the intake and conduit are not clearly distinguished. Use one paragraph for the overview and a more orderly sequence for the process, with precise references such as “the water” and “the intake.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “reservoir,” “dam,” “turbine,” “electricity,” and “reversible,” so the reader can follow the general subject. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or informal for a process description. “Turbine motor” is not the diagram’s term, while “big turbine” and “massive amount of water” are vague rather than precise. There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “reservoie,” “thorugh,” and “ot,” and awkward combinations such as “water hit a big turbine in a high speed.” Use the labels from the diagram and more exact process verbs, such as “flows through,” “drives,” “generates,” and “is pumped back.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more developed sentences, including a contrast between daytime and nighttime operation, and the main meaning is generally recoverable. However, errors in sentence formation and grammatical control are frequent enough to make some passages difficult to read. For example, “Basically, two reservoirs one is high level…” is a fragment, and “In high level reservoir there ia dam” lacks accurate article and sentence structure. Tense and agreement are also inconsistent in “water flows… this water hit… turbine rotate and produce.” Use complete sentences, maintain the present simple for a process, and check articles and subject–verb agreement. For instance: “During the day, water flows through the conduit and turns the turbines, which drive the generator.”

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