Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-28

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 production of electricity in a hydroelectric power station.

Overall, the diagram explains the whole process from how river water is sent to high level reservior to the supply of electricity to the national grid stations.

A dam is constructed to store river water, and to create high-level reservoir.This hight plays an important role in generation of electricity.

During day time, a small water intake hole that is present at one side, usually opens. Water is thrown from a height, because of this flow of water electricity is generated.This electricity is brought to power stations, and through power lines it is sent to national grid.

A reversible turbine that operates the generator during day time, acts as a pump at night.Through this, water from low level reservior is sent back to high level reservior from the same channels.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the process and include its main day-and-night cycle: water flows from the high-level reservoir through the turbines to generate electricity, then is pumped back from the low-level reservoir at night. The overview also mentions the national grid. However, some important details are incomplete or unclear: the intake is open by day and closed at night, and the low-level reservoir receives water during daytime before it is returned. The statement that the dam is constructed “to create” the reservoir is not quite accurate; it holds water to form the high-level reservoir. The response is 141 words, below the required 150, and several stages are only briefly described. Add a little more precise process detail and ensure the minimum length is met.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing daytime generation and nighttime pumping. The sequence is generally understandable, and time markers such as “During day time” and “at night” help distinguish the two operating modes. However, the overview is vague, and the progression between stages could be clearer—for example, explain that water first passes through the turbines, then enters the low-level reservoir. Some linking is mechanical, particularly “Through this,” while punctuation and spacing around sentence boundaries interrupt the flow. Use clearer stage-by-stage sequencing and connect each paragraph’s details more explicitly to the overall cycle.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “reservoir,” “intake,” “generator,” “power lines,” and “national grid,” so the reader can follow the subject. There are also attempts at more specific phrasing, such as “reversible turbine” and “flow of water.” However, several word choices or collocations are imprecise: “water is thrown from a height” is less suitable than describing it as flowing or descending, and “national grid stations” does not accurately name the destination. Spelling errors in “reservior” and “hight” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise technical wording and check spelling, while avoiding unnecessary repetition of “water” and “electricity.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You use both simple sentences and some more complex structures, including “because of this flow of water electricity is generated” and the contrast between daytime and nighttime turbine functions. The main meaning remains understandable, but some grammatical errors and punctuation problems are present. For example, “high level reservior.This hight” has a missing space after the full stop, and “A reversible turbine that operates the generator during day time, acts as a pump at night” incorrectly separates the subject from its verb with a comma. Articles and sentence construction also need attention in phrases such as “to the supply of electricity.” Review comma placement, sentence boundaries, and article use, and practise combining process stages accurately.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.