Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-06

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity.

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

Student answer (Band 5.5)

The diagram below shows how electricity is produced by geothermal energy power plant.

Overall, the process is liner and not cyclical. It has total 5 stages until electricity is produced. The whole process runs by geothermal plant. It starts from cold water and ends up at electricity through generator turbine.

First, cold water is pumped 4.5 KM down the surface. Next, cold water passed through a well named as the injection well. Later on, cold water passes to geothermal zone through hot rocks to make hot water. Here the production of electricity starts. Followed by, the production well here hot water is pumped up back to the surface. After coming up, water first enter into condenser where cloud like substance is created known as Steam. Afterwards, steam is passed into generator turbine. In first path, steam moves in circular motion into the cylindrical tube. In the second path, steam is then powered by turbine and finally produces electricity. One electricity is produced in turbine it transfers into the large pole at the surface.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main stages from cold-water injection through heating, return to the surface, steam production and electricity generation, and your overview correctly identifies a linear process. The 4.5 km depth is also reported accurately. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the water is heated as it passes through the geothermal zone of hot rocks, rather than passing “through hot rocks to make hot water” as a separate production step. More importantly, the turbine drives the generator; the response says steam is passed into a “generator turbine” and suggests the turbine itself produces electricity. The description of steam moving in a circular motion is not supported by the diagram. Clarifying the roles of the condenser, turbine and generator would make the account more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an overview followed by a chronological account, and sequencing phrases such as “First,” “Next” and “Afterwards” help the reader follow the process. The overall progression is coherent, but some links are mechanical or confusing. For example, “Here the production of electricity starts” interrupts the explanation of how water is heated, while “In first path” and “In the second path” introduce distinctions that are not clear from the diagram. The final sentence also shifts abruptly to the electricity pole. Grouping the underground stages together, then explaining steam, turbine and generator in order, would improve the flow. Use references such as “this heated water” and “the resulting steam” to make connections clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “condenser,” “steam” and “geothermal zone,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There is also some variety in the sequencing language. However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural, such as “cloud like substance,” “generator turbine” and “large pole,” and “the whole process runs by geothermal plant” does not express the intended meaning clearly. These choices sometimes blur the equipment’s functions. Aim for accurate collocations and consistent technical terms: describe steam as being produced or generated, say that it drives the turbine, and identify the pylon as an electricity transmission structure. Check spelling and word forms, including “linear” and “electricity.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the sequence is generally understandable. However, errors in verb forms, articles and sentence construction recur. Examples include “It has total 5 stages,” “cold water passed through,” “water first enter into condenser,” and “One electricity is produced,” which make parts of the process difficult to follow. Some clauses are also joined awkwardly, as in “the production well here hot water is pumped up.” Practise forming complete passive sentences for process descriptions, such as “Cold water is pumped down the injection well” and “The heated water is brought to the surface.” Use consistent present simple forms and check subject–verb agreement and articles. More accurate control of these patterns would make your range easier to understand.

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.