Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-26

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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the process of electricity generation in a hydroelectric power station.

The whole process consists of several stages from storing water in a dam to the delivery of electricity to the national grid.

The production process starts with storing the water from rivers in a dam until the level of water in dam reaches at the determined level. During daytime the intake of water at the ground level of dam is opened to let the water flow with high pressure to rotate the turbines of generator that produces electricity. While at night the turbines rotate in counter direction to pump water back in the dam. For this purpose, intake is closed at night to prevent water moving downward. This also helps to keep the low water reservoir level at the power station.

In the end, the generated elecricity at hydroelectric power station is transported to the national grid with the help of power lines.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You identify the process and give a broad overview, tracing water from storage through the turbines and generator to the national grid. You also include the key day/night contrast: water flows down to generate electricity by day and is pumped back at night. These details address the main features, and the account is generally relevant. However, some stages are less fully or precisely described. For example, the river feeds the high-level reservoir, while the low-level reservoir is where water collects after daytime generation; these roles are not clearly distinguished. The claim that water is stored until it reaches a “determined level” is not shown in the diagram. To strengthen the response, describe both reservoirs and the reversible turbines’ two functions more precisely, without adding unsupported details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall sequence: an introduction, a general statement about the process, an explanation of daytime and nighttime operation, and a concluding reference to electricity reaching the grid. Time markers such as “During daytime” and “at night” help the reader follow the cycle. This gives the account a coherent arrangement. Some connections and references are less clear, however. “For this purpose” does not make the relationship between closing the intake and pumping water back especially easy to follow, and “This also helps” has an unclear reference. The final sentence returns to electricity delivery after the night cycle, which slightly disrupts the process sequence. Grouping the stages into a clearer forward-flow and return-flow explanation, with more precise linking, would improve progression.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “intake,” “turbines,” “generator,” “reservoir,” and “national grid,” so the subject is generally clear. Phrases such as “flow with high pressure” and “pump water back” also attempt to describe how the system works. However, some word choices and collocations are imprecise: “rotate the turbines of generator” is awkward, and “low water reservoir level” does not clearly express the low-level reservoir. There is also a spelling error in “elecricity.” The repeated use of “water” and “dam” limits flexibility, and “dam” is sometimes used where “high-level reservoir” would be more accurate. Aim for precise technical labels and natural collocations while checking spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including a time contrast between daytime and night and a purpose clause beginning “to let the water flow.” Most of the process remains understandable, but some grammatical errors reduce accuracy. For example, “until the level of water in dam reaches at the determined level” has problems with articles, verb construction, and the preposition after “reaches.” In “the turbines rotate in counter direction,” the article is missing, while “the turbines of generator that produces electricity” has an unclear noun relationship and agreement. The sentence beginning “While at night” is also an incomplete contrast structure. Practise forming complete clauses and checking articles, agreement, and verb patterns; this would make your varied sentence attempts more controlled.

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