Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-11-01

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 5.0)

The Diagram Above shows that how electricity is being generated in a hydroelectric power station. Electricity that is generated from from dam is called hydroelectric and its one of the main and the cheapest source to generate Electricity, Even though the cost to built the dam is higher but the cost to produce electricity from it is much cheaper. Dam is Built for multiples purposes one of them is electricity so its totally worth to built a dam.

The Diagram Portrait that there is a Dam on a river. First the dam is used to block the flow of water so it can be stored after that from the bottom of the dam water flows into turbines the flow of that water generate electricity then that electricity is transferred to a Generator in power station, after that the power station transfer electricity to national grid and after that it is distributed in all the region where its needed

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the broad subject and describe a basic sequence: water is stored behind a dam, passes through turbines, and electricity reaches the national grid. However, the response only minimally covers the process shown. It omits the key day-and-night cycle, including the intake being closed at night, water flowing to the low-level reservoir during the day, and reversible turbines pumping it back uphill at night. The claim that electricity is transferred “to a Generator” also misrepresents the diagram: the generator is connected to the turbines within the power station, while power lines carry electricity to the grid. The opening discussion of cost and the dam’s other purposes is not shown in the visual and takes space from relevant process details. Focus on an accurate overview and the main stages.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable order, moving from the dam and stored water to the turbines, power station, and national grid. This gives the reader a basic sense of progression. However, the first paragraph is largely general commentary rather than a stage in the process, and the second paragraph compresses several steps into one long sentence joined repeatedly by “after that.” This makes relationships between stages less clear and leaves no separate overview of the process. Organise the response into an introduction and overview, followed by a clearly sequenced description of daytime generation and nighttime pumping. Use a small range of accurate links, such as “during the day,” “then,” and “at night,” rather than relying on repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “dam,” “turbines,” “power station,” and “national grid,” so the general subject is understandable. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or awkward for describing this diagram. “Electricity is generated from from dam” is not a natural or precise collocation, while “the diagram portrait” does not convey the intended meaning. Repetition of “water,” “electricity,” and “after that” also limits flexibility. Some capitalisation and spelling forms, such as “Built” and “multiples,” reduce control. Build a more precise process vocabulary, including “reservoir,” “intake,” “reversible turbines,” “flow,” and “pump,” and use these terms consistently to describe both operating modes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts to connect ideas in longer sentences, but control is uneven and errors sometimes make the process harder to follow. For example, “The Diagram Above shows that how electricity is being generated” uses an unnecessary “that,” and “its one of the main and the cheapest source” has problems with the contraction, article use, and singular/plural agreement. The sentence beginning “First the dam is used to block…” runs through several stages without clear sentence boundaries, and “the flow of that water generate electricity” has subject–verb agreement error. Most structures are simple or joined with basic connectors, so the range is limited. Practise accurate simple sentences first, then use controlled clauses to explain sequence and contrast between day and night.

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