Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-21

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 illustrates the information of how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, hydroelectric power station works as a source of storing water and generating electricity through power station but before that, river water is stored in a dam than flow of water works day and night further, power station which have generator in it generates electricity through converting power lines into national grid.

Firstly, to generate electricty we need dam to store water, dam has high-level reservoir and space is left through water flows in day it is opened and in night it is closed. In addition flow of water generate electricity in day and flow of water is pumped in night.

Secondly, generator plays a significant role here with power lines moving forward becomes national grid and reversible turbines which operate generator in a day and pump water in a night. Lastly, water flows through low-level reservoir after electricity is generated.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main purpose and several key components, including the high-level reservoir, intake, generator, reversible turbines and low-level reservoir. You also note the important day/night distinction: water flows to generate electricity by day and is pumped back at night. However, the process is only partly explained: the river’s role, the route through the turbines, and the connection from the generator via power lines to the national grid are not clearly described. The overview is also unclear, particularly the claim that power lines are converted into the national grid. The response is 147 words, below the required 150, and nine words copied from the prompt were excluded from the count. Develop the stages more accurately and add a concise, clear overview.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure, with an overview followed by two paragraphs introduced by “Firstly” and “Secondly,” and the reader can identify a general sequence. However, progression is not consistently clear: the overview combines several stages in a confusing sentence, and the final paragraph moves from the generator and power lines to the turbines and then back to water flow. Some links are mechanical, while references such as “before that” and “here” do not clearly identify the process stage. Organise the description in the diagram’s order: reservoir and intake, daytime flow and electricity generation, then nighttime pumping. Use linking phrases to show sequence and contrast without forcing them into every sentence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “high-level reservoir,” “reversible turbines,” “generator,” and “low-level reservoir,” which helps convey the subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or combinations are inaccurate or unclear. For example, “the information of how” is an awkward way to introduce the diagram, and “converting power lines into national grid” misrepresents the relationship between these components. “Electricty” is also misspelled, and repeated use of “water,” “flow,” and “generate” makes the account less precise. Aim for accurate process collocations and verbs such as “passes through,” “drives,” “transmits,” and “is pumped back,” while checking spelling and avoiding repetition.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, but control is inconsistent, and errors in sentence structure and agreement sometimes make the process difficult to follow. For instance, “hydroelectric power station works” lacks an article, while “power station which have generator in it generates” has faulty agreement and an unclear relative clause. The overview sentence beginning “Overall” also joins several ideas without a clear grammatical structure. There is some use of sequencing clauses, but complex sentences are often not controlled reliably. Practise writing shorter, complete sentences first, then combine stages with accurate clauses—for example, “During the day, water flows through the turbines, which drive the generator.” Check articles, subject–verb agreement, and punctuation when editing.

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