Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-19

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 provided process diagram illusratres the process of generating electricity from hydroelectric power station. Overall it is clearly visible that there are several phases for generating electricity. In first water come from river via dam and goes in power station for generating electricity.

To begin with, in first water comes from river at the high level reservoir via dam. The dam opens in day time and close in night time. later water goes into power station in day time for generating electricty via reversible turbines. after it goes into generator for producing electricity and through power lines goes in national grid. Furthermore, in night time from low level reservoir water goes in reversible turbines for pumping to high level reservoir. It is reversible pattern of generating electricity from water through hydroelectric power station. In the last elctricity goes to site where uses of electricity need take place.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main cycle: water is released from the high-level reservoir during the day, passes through turbines and a generator, and electricity is sent to the national grid; at night, water is pumped back uphill. This covers the central process, but the overview is vague (“several phases”) and does not clearly summarise the day/night contrast. Some details are inaccurate or unsupported: the dam itself is not described as opening and closing; the intake is open by day and closed at night. The final claim that electricity goes to a “site where uses of electricity need take place” is not shown in the diagram. The response is also three words below the required minimum. Develop the overview and report only the labelled stages.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence, moving from the reservoir to electricity generation and then to nighttime pumping. Paragraphing separates the introduction from the process description, and connectors such as “To begin with,” “Furthermore,” and “In the last” help signal order. However, progression is not consistently clear: the opening repeats the idea of generating electricity, and “after it” and “In the last” do not connect the stages naturally. The day and night stages could be grouped more clearly, with each stage linked to the next using precise references. A more focused overview followed by a chronological description would make the organisation easier to follow and reduce repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “high level reservoir,” “reversible turbines,” “generator,” and “national grid,” so the reader can recognise the main components. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “water come from river,” “goes in power station,” and “site where uses of electricity need take place.” Spelling errors, including “illusratres,” “electricty,” and “elctricity,” are noticeable and reduce precision. Use standard technical phrasing consistently, for example, water “flows through” a conduit and electricity “is transmitted to” the grid. More accurate verbs and fewer repeated forms of “go” would improve clarity and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a sequence linked with “and” and a contrast between daytime generation and nighttime pumping. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently in basic sentence patterns. For example, “in first water comes” lacks an appropriate article and has an awkward clause structure; “The dam opens in day time and close in night time” has inconsistent verb forms; and “where uses of electricity need take place” is grammatically unclear. Subject–verb agreement, articles, and tense control also need attention. Practise forming accurate present-simple process sentences, such as “Water flows from the reservoir through the turbines,” before combining stages into longer sentences.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.