IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer: Hydroelectric Power Station Process Diagram (IELTS Cambridge 14)

This is an IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer from the IELTS Cambridge 14 book of past sample tests and it is a process describing a hydroelectric power station.

Interesting stuff…

Processes are a bit tricky both in terms of the general overview and the structure of the writing.

I find it really hard to write enough words about a process. They are really simple to describe and you can often end up short of the word count.

Your writing might also sound mechanical if you just follow it step by step without giving an overall picture of the process.

For most processes, you will also need to use more of the passive voice than you are used to.

There are a lot of complex moving parts in a process – just like in a hydroelectric power station!

Read on to see how I handled it!

You can find more of my task 1 sample answers here.

And my task 2 sample answers here.

Finally, here is everything that you need to know to practice well with IELTS Cambridge 14.

If you want to get over your IELTS fears and achieve your dreams (of going abroad or getting a better job), I now offer online lessons complete with feedback, videos, workbooks and more – you can learn more here!

IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer: Map Hydroelectric Power Station (IELTS Cambridge 14)

IELTS Cambridge 14 Process

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.

The process shows how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station. In general, the diagram can be broadly separated into day and night stages with the daylight stages involving the generation of electricity from a river and storage of water in a reservoir. At night the water flows back in the other direction towards an initial reservoir and the river.

The first stage of the process involves channelling the river into a high-level reservoir backed up by a dam. There is an intake area leading to the power station that is open during the day and closes at night. Water flows during the day to generate electricity through the power station turbines and the resulting electricity is sent to a national grid through power lines while the excess water runs to a low-level reservoir.

The reversible turbines that operate the generator during the day allow the station to pump the water in the low-level reservoir back into the high-level reservoir for use the next day.

IELTS Examiner Sample Answer Analysis

1. The process shows how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station. 2. In general, the diagram can be broadly separated into day and night stages with the daylight stages involving the generation of electricity from a river and storage of water in a reservoir. 3. At night the water flows back in the other direction towards an initial reservoir and the river.

1. The first sentence states the topic – write this sentence very quickly because it’s not that important.

2-3. The next two sentences are my overview. This is the key sentence for your whole writing. For a process, don’t just list all the steps- try to groups and describe them somehow. Careful not to include any opinion!

1. The first stage of the process involves channelling the river into a high-level reservoir backed up by a dam. 2. There is an intake area leading to the power station that is open during the day and closes at night. 3. Water flows during the day to generate electricity through the power station turbines and the resulting electricity is sent to a national grid through power lines while the excess water runs to a low-level reservoir.

1. My first sentence focuses on the first stage of the process. This is the natural place to start.

2. The second sentence continues with the water flow through the process.

3. My third sentence describes the effect of the water going through the power station.

1. The reversible turbines that operate the generator during the day allow the station to pump the water in the low-level reservoir back into the high-level reservoir for use the next day.

1. My final sentence concludes by summarising where the water goes at night. Usually a paragraph should have at least two sentences but this one was simple enough to write so it works!

Sample Answer Vocabulary

What do the words in bold mean? If you’re not sure, don’t use a dictionary – try to figure out the meaning from the whole sentence then check your answers below!

The process shows how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric power station. In general, the diagram can be broadly separated into day and night stages with the daylight stages involving the generation of electricity from a river and storage of water in a reservoir. At night the water flows back in the other direction towards an initial reservoir and the river.

The first stage of the process involves channelling the river into a high-level reservoir backed up by a dam. There is an intake area leading to the power station that is open during the day and closes at night. Water flows during the day to generate electricity through the power station turbines and the resulting electricity is sent to a national grid through power lines while the excess water runs to a low-level reservoir.

The reversible turbines that operate the generator during the day allow the station to pump the water in the low-level reservoir back into the high-level reservoir for use the next day.

Answers:

hydroelectric power station: a place that produces electricity by using water

broadly separated: divided generally into

involving: includes

flows back: goes back in the direction of

channelling: forcing into a certain direction

backed up by: supported by

leading to: going towards

open during the day: not closed during daytime

flows: goes

through: pass into and out of

resulting: the result or effect/impact

excess water: extra water

operate: function/work

pump back: push the water to where it came from

for use: to be used

Pronunciation:

 ˌhaɪdrəʊɪˈlɛktrɪk ˈpaʊə ˈsteɪʃən 
ˈbrɔːdli ˈsɛpəreɪtɪd 
ɪnˈvɒlvɪŋ 
fləʊz bæk 
ˈʧænlɪŋ 
bækt ʌp baɪ 
ˈliːdɪŋ tuː 
ˈəʊpən ˈdjʊərɪŋ ðə deɪ 
fləʊz 
θruː 
rɪˈzʌltɪŋ 
ɪkˈsɛs ˈwɔːtə 
ˈɒpəreɪt 
pʌmp 
bæk 
fɔː juːz 

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

The process shows how electricity is generated in a ____________________. In general, the diagram can be

____________________ into day and night stages with the daylight stages

____________________ the generation of electricity from a river and storage of water in a resevoir. At night the water

____________________ in the other direction towards an initial resevoir and the river.

The first stage of the process involves ____________________ the river into a high-level resevoir ____________________ a dam. There is an intake area ____________________ the power station that is ____________________ and closes at night. Water ____________________ during the day to generate electricity ____________________ the power station turbines and the ____________________ electricity is sent to a national grid through power lines while the ____________________ runs to a low-level resevoir.

The reversible turbines that ____________________ the generator during the day allow the station to ____________________ the water in the low-level resevoir ____________________ into the high-level resevoir ____________________ the next day.

Learn a bit more about Hydro-Electric Power – What is it?

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