Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-24

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 layout of how the electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power sation with assist of river.

Overall, it can be seen that the process initiate with colleting water from the river and passes through Dam and ended with power line pass on the National grid to many homes and appartments.

To begin with, firstly water from the river pass in the Dam with high level of reservoir. Moreover, down side of Dam the was intake which usely open on day and closed on night. Furthermore, the flow of water to generate electricity on day passes through crossign turbines. As a result, on nights the flow of water is pumping back to river hence in day the process will be continue.

On the other hand, the reversible tubines operate water in day and pass to generator. However, the night pump water into high level reservoir. In addition, the generator which produce power sation and pass to power lines. Finally, the National grid which directly transform into many houses and urban society to use electricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main stages and include the important day/night contrast: water flows through the turbines to generate electricity during the day, while the turbines pump it back to the high-level reservoir at night. The overview also recognises the broad movement from the river towards electricity distribution. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the water does not simply pass “in the Dam,” and the diagram shows it moving from the high-level reservoir through an intake and conduit to the low-level reservoir. The claim that power reaches “many homes and apartments” is not shown; the diagram ends at the national grid. Clarifying the route and distinguishing the two reservoirs would make the account more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an overview followed by descriptions of the process, and it attempts to guide the reader using phrases such as “To begin with” and “Finally.” However, progression is uneven: the day and night stages are mixed together, then revisited in the next paragraph, so the sequence is not consistently easy to follow. Some linking expressions are mechanical or do not show the intended relationship, as in “On the other hand” and “As a result.” The reference in “the process will be continue” is also unclear. Organise the account in the diagram’s order, then describe the night-time return flow separately, using fewer but more precise transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “reservoir,” “intake,” “reversible turbines,” “generator,” and “National grid,” which helps communicate the subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate enough to make parts difficult to interpret. For example, “pass in the Dam” does not clearly describe water entering the reservoir, while “operate water” and “the generator which produce power sation” are not natural ways to describe the process. Spelling errors such as “sation,” “colleting,” “crossign,” and “tubines” also reduce clarity. Build a more precise set of process verbs, such as “flow,” “drive,” “generate,” and “pump,” and check spelling carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including an overview beginning “Overall, it can be seen…” and clauses introduced by “which.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction sometimes make the meaning difficult to follow. Examples include “the process initiate,” “water from the river pass,” and “the generator which produce”; these require forms such as “initiates,” “passes,” and “produces.” The sentence “the flow of water to generate electricity on day passes through crossign turbines” also has an unclear structure. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement and complete sentence patterns, and use straightforward sentences to explain each stage before attempting more complex combinations.

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