Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-20

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 4.5)

The process diagram presents the phases of producing electricity in hydroelectric power station.

Overall, water from river reserved in a high level reserver and water released from dam in day intake and this flow of generate electricity by generator and than throrugh powerlines electricity supply to national grid. In night low level reserver reserved water.

In first phase water from river reserved in high level reserver, in day intake dam open and water flow to power station

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the general subject and mention the river, reservoir, dam intake, generator and national grid, so the response is relevant to the diagram. However, it reports only a small part of the process and does not clearly explain the complete cycle. The overview, “In night low level reserver reserved water,” is unclear and omits the key contrast: water flows downhill to generate electricity during the day, then is pumped back uphill at night. The response also stops before explaining the turbines, power lines and return flow in a usable sequence. The required minimum of 150 words is not met, which leaves the main stages and comparisons substantially under-reported. Describe both daytime and nighttime operation and include a clear overview of the cycle.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

There is a basic attempt to organise the response: an opening sentence, an overview paragraph beginning “Overall,” and a final paragraph that starts “In first phase.” This gives the reader some indication of the intended structure. However, the progression is incomplete, and the final sentence ends abruptly at “water flow to power station,” without completing the explanation. Connections between stages are also difficult to follow in the overview, where several actions are joined together in one long sequence. Use separate, complete sentences to describe the daytime route and the nighttime pumping cycle, and link them with clear sequencing expressions such as “During the day” and “At night.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The response uses some relevant process vocabulary, including “generator,” “dam,” “intake,” “powerlines” and “national grid,” which helps identify the subject. However, the range is limited, and several inaccurate or repeated expressions make the process difficult to understand. For example, “reserved” is used where the intended meaning appears to be that water is stored, while “high level reserver” and “low level reserver” do not accurately name the reservoirs. “Flow of generate electricity” is also an awkward phrase. Aim for precise process terms and natural collocations, such as “water is stored in the upper reservoir” and “flows through the turbines to generate electricity.” Check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt to form an overview and a sequence description, but sentence structures are very limited and errors frequently obscure the relationships between actions. In “water from river reserved in a high level reserver,” the sentence lacks a correctly formed verb phrase and necessary articles. The overview sentence beginning “water released from dam in day intake” has unclear clause structure, while “this flow of generate electricity” does not form a grammatical construction. The final sentence is also incomplete, ending with “water flow to power station.” Practise complete simple sentences first, using accurate passive forms such as “Water is released” and “The turbines generate electricity,” then connect them with time clauses for day and night.

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