Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

1. Hydroelectric power station is the place where electricity is generated by water.

2. Basically hydro means water electric means current. this is one of the cheap way of producing electricity.

3. In this process at first there is a dam that lies between river and station.

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4. At day time the water flows into the dam means the dam is open and at night time water is pumped back into the river .

5. At day time when water is allowed to enter the station it at first goes to the turbine where it starts the working of turbine. 6. When turbine start working it causes the generator to work and produce electricity.the electricity produce is then Transmitted to powerlines from power lines to grid and then to the city .

7. At night time the water which was allowed to enter the station is pumped back to station.

8. Simple process is that when water falls on turbine it start working and turn n the generator to produce electricity.

9. This syestem is easy and cheap to use.

10.Thera are many advantages of this syestem.

11.It saves fuel and doesnot causes any type of pollution activities.

12.But there are also some disadvantages of this syestem

13.This syestem uses a large amount of water and is very heavy syestem.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the basic purpose of the process and include several relevant stages: water passes through a turbine, activates a generator, and electricity is sent through power lines to the grid. You also recognise that the system operates differently by day and night. However, the account only partially reports the diagram: it does not clearly explain that water moves from the high-level reservoir to the low-level reservoir during the day, then is pumped back to the high-level reservoir at night. The claim that water is pumped “back to the river” is inaccurate, and the city, cost, pollution, and other advantages or disadvantages are not shown. A clearer overview of the two-stage cycle and more accurate reporting of the labelled features would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

There is a basic sequence in the description: the response moves from the dam and water flow to the turbine, generator, and electricity transmission. Time markers such as “At day time” and “At night time” also help distinguish the two operating periods. However, the ideas are not arranged into clear paragraphs, and the numbered format makes the response feel like separate notes rather than a connected process description. Several points are repeated, especially the explanation that water turns the turbine and makes the generator produce electricity. The later comments about advantages and disadvantages interrupt the process sequence and do not support the diagram summary. Group the stages into an introduction, an overview, and logically ordered day/night details, using clear references between stages.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “turbine,” “generator,” “transmitted,” and “power lines,” so the main subject is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several expressions are imprecise or repetitive, such as “water is allowed to enter the station” and “the working of turbine.” Some word choices also misrepresent the diagram, notably “pumped back to the river”; the water is returned to the high-level reservoir. Spelling errors such as “syestem” and “Thera,” along with forms such as “powerlines,” reduce accuracy and polish. Use precise terms for the reservoirs, intake, flow, and pumping cycle, and avoid adding general claims about cost or environmental effects that are not part of the visual.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts some longer sentences, for example, “When turbine start working it causes the generator to work and produce electricity,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in verb agreement and forms occur in “turbine start,” “it start working,” and “the electricity produce.” Articles and sentence boundaries are also problematic: “at first there is a dam” and “electricity.the electricity” show missing or misplaced punctuation, while several sentences run together. Most structures are simple, with limited accurate variation, and these errors sometimes make the process harder to follow. Practise forming clear clauses with consistent present simple verbs—for example, “The water turns the turbine, which drives the generator”—and check articles, agreement, and punctuation in each sentence.

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