Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-09

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 illustrates the step-by-step process of producing electricity by using geothermal power plant.

Overall, the electricity production is a multi-stage process, Beginning with the pumped down cold water and ending with the distribution of electricity.

At the first stage, stored cold water is pumped 4.5 km down through the injection well to geothermal zone. In this stage, cold water turn into a hot water by the help of hot rocks. subsequently, the hot water pumped up through the production well to a condenser.

Next, hot water become steam in the condenser. This steam placed to the next section where generator and turbine are works. Turbine powerded by the steam and by the help of steam it start spining. This spin help to produce electricity. The generator powered by the turbine and produce electricity. Finally, the produced electricity is distributed for local peoples consumption.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as a sequence and include its main stages: cold water is sent down the injection well, heated by hot rocks, brought up through the production well, and converted to steam to drive machinery. The overview also gives the broad start and end points. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram shows the turbine driving the generator, not the turbine and generator simply being a “next section,” and it does not show electricity being distributed to local people. The condenser’s role in producing steam could also be stated more precisely. The response is 144 words, below the required 150, and the limited development of the final stages leaves the summary only partly complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally understandable sequence, supported by “At the first stage,” “Next,” and “Finally.” The opening overview and subsequent stage-by-stage description give it a basic overall progression. However, the paragraphing is limited, and some links between ideas are unclear: “This steam placed to the next section” does not explain the movement from the condenser to the turbine clearly. The repeated references to steam and turbine also make the final section feel less controlled, while “In this stage” is an imprecise reference. Group the underground heating stages together, then describe steam, the turbine, and generator in their actual order, using clear references and transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “geothermal zone,” “condenser,” and “turbine,” which helps communicate the subject. There is some variety in describing movement and transformation, such as “pumped down,” “pumped up,” and “turn into.” However, several word-choice, collocation, and spelling problems reduce precision: “steam placed to the next section,” “local peoples consumption,” “powerded,” and “spining.” “Stored cold water” and “hot water become steam” are understandable but could be expressed more naturally and precisely. Aim for accurate process collocations, such as water being “heated” and steam being “channelled” to the turbine, and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple sentences and longer structures, including the overview sentence beginning “Beginning with…” and the sequence describing water moving through the wells. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, and errors occur in basic sentence patterns as well as longer attempts. For example, “cold water turn into a hot water” has subject–verb agreement and article problems; “the hot water pumped up” is missing an auxiliary; and “generator and turbine are works” has an incorrect verb construction. The final sentence also needs a possessive form in “local peoples consumption.” Use complete clauses with consistent present-simple verbs for process descriptions, and check agreement, articles, and auxiliary verbs.

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