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Process diagram: Hydroelectric power generation

Pick out the main features of this process diagram for your overview, write your report on a 20-minute timer, then compare it with a band-8 model answer.

WRITING TASK 1

Process diagram

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

The diagram below shows how electricity is generated at a hydroelectric power station.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Write at least 150 words.

Hydroelectric power generation
  1. 1Dam stores waterA river is blocked to create a reservoir
  2. 2IntakeWater enters pipes called penstocks
  3. 3Water flows downGravity drives the water towards the turbine
  4. 4Turbine spinsThe force of water rotates the blades
  5. 5GeneratorThe turbine drives a generator
  6. 6TransformerVoltage is increased for transmission
  7. 7Power linesElectricity is sent to homes and factories
  8. 8Water releasedWater leaves and rejoins the river

GoPrep wrote this practice question in the style of the exam. It is not an official IELTS question.

What your overview should say

An overview names the main trends or differences in one or two sentences, without numbers. These are the features a strong answer picks out:

  1. 1Overall, hydroelectric generation is a linear process of eight stages in which the energy of falling water is converted into electricity and the water is returned to the river.
  2. 2Water stored behind a dam enters pipes and flows down to a turbine, whose spinning blades drive a generator.
  3. 3The electricity passes through a transformer to raise its voltage, travels along power lines to homes and factories, and the water is released downstream.

Write it on the clock

Spend the first few minutes planning, then write.

20:00

0 words of 150 minimum

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Band-8 model answer

Write your own answer first, then compare: how it answers the exact question, what each paragraph does, and which phrases you could borrow.

Show model answer (183 words)

The diagram illustrates how electricity is generated at a hydroelectric power station, and it consists of eight stages.

Overall, the process converts the energy of falling water into electricity, which is then sent to consumers. The water is not consumed, since it is released back into the river at the end. The first four stages concern the movement of water, the next three concern electricity, and the last returns the water to the river.

The process begins at the dam, where a river is blocked to create a reservoir that stores water. The water then enters pipes called penstocks at the intake. Gravity drives it down the pipes towards the turbine, and the force of the water causes the turbine blades to rotate.

The spinning turbine drives a generator, which produces the electricity. Subsequently, the voltage is increased by a transformer so that the electricity can be transmitted over long distances.

At the final stages, the electricity is sent along power lines to homes and factories. At the same time, the water leaves the power station and is released to rejoin the river.

Useful vocabulary

PhraseMeaning
reservoirartificial lake for storing water
penstocka large pipe carrying water to a turbine
turn the turbinecause it to rotate
generate electricityproduce power
step up voltageincrease electrical force
be transmittedbe sent along lines

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