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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.
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Dave
IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer: Map Hydroelectric Power Station (IELTS Cambridge 14)
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 water then continues 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 water then continues 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 water then continues 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
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
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 ____________________ 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?
Comment your own writing below for some feedback from me!
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Hi dave,
At this sentence
“electricity is sent to a national grid through power lines while the excess water runs to a low-level reservoir.”
You said that excess water runs to a low-level reservoir.
But it is not the EXCESS water actually WHOLE water runs to low-level reservoir.
Hmmm, I see what you mean but isn’t a lot of the water being used to run the generator and then some of it is going to the resevoir?
No
Actually, Whole water pass through turbine ( turbine is connected to generator) and then leave the turbine and flow into reservoir.
Yes, I see.
The diagram depicts the processes involved and the workings of a Hydroelectric power station. There are 2 main structures that assist in the production of electricity, the dam that holds off the river water and the power station that converts the flow of water to produce electricity. Another important aspect to note is the forward and backward flow of water during day and night.
The river water is collected in a High-level reservoir which is walled off by a Dam. An Intake at the bottom of the Dam is open during the day, letting the water flow to the power station, where it passes through a reversible turbine, moving finally into a low-level reservoir. This turbine is connected to a Generator and the turning of the turbine allows the generator to create electricity which is supplied to the National grid via power lines.
At Night, the intake below the dam is closed and the turbine is run in reverse, in effect pumping the water from the low-level reservoir back to the high-level reservoir.
Well done, Yas!
Really good overview – you don’t have to capitalise so much in your writing – just proper nouns.
Thank you for the feedback
You’re very welcome!