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 given diagram represents how electricity is produced by the geothermal power plant. The procedure is made up of 5 steps.

In first step, cold water is pumped down, the depth is 4.5 km. Here comes the injection well. Cold water gathered in this area. After this well, there are hot rocks, which is called Geothermal zone. This is area where cold water is converted in hot water. The hot water is gathered in the production well. From the production well hot water is pumped up to condenser. The condenser is responsible to convert water into steam. Through a narrow passage steam comes out , there is a turbine . The turbine is powered by steam. Then there is a generator . The generator creates electricity that is powered by steam.

From this generator, electricity is supplied to main poles.

So this is the whole procedure how electricity is produced by cold water in geothermal powe plant.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main stages in the correct order: water is sent down the injection well, heated in the geothermal zone, brought up through the production well, and used to generate electricity. The 4.5 km depth is also reported accurately. However, the account is mainly a sequence of details rather than a clear summary of the process as a whole, and some explanations are incomplete or inaccurate. For example, the condenser is said to convert water into steam, whereas the diagram shows hot water entering it and steam then moving to the turbine. The generator is described as producing electricity “powered by steam,” although steam powers the turbine, which drives the generator. A concise overview and more precise explanation of these relationships would make the key features clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The stages are presented in a generally logical order, and sequencing phrases such as “In first step,” “After this,” and “Then” help the reader follow the process. The response also separates the final electricity-supply detail into a new paragraph. However, the progression is sometimes mechanical, with repeated short statements beginning “there is” or “the…,” and the opening and closing sentences repeat the idea that the diagram shows electricity production. Some references are unclear: “Here comes the injection well” and “this area” do not precisely identify the relevant parts of the diagram. Grouping the underground stages together and then describing the surface machinery, with clearer links between each stage, would improve flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “geothermal zone,” “condenser,” “turbine,” and “generator,” so the reader can identify the main components. However, the range of verbs and linking expressions is limited, and several choices are imprecise or unnatural. “Cold water gathered in this area” does not clearly describe the water’s movement, while “the condenser is responsible to convert” is an awkward collocation. “Main poles” is also not the appropriate term for the transmission structure shown. Aim for precise process verbs and natural technical phrasing, such as “is pumped,” “is heated,” “is converted into steam,” and “transmission pylon.” Check spelling in “powe plant” as well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response communicates the sequence using mostly simple sentences and some attempts at longer structures, such as “This is area where cold water is converted in hot water.” However, grammatical errors are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward or unclear. Examples include the missing article in “In first step” and “This is area,” the incorrect pattern “responsible to convert,” and the faulty passive construction “cold water is converted in hot water.” The sentence “The generator creates electricity that is powered by steam” also has an unclear grammatical relationship between the clauses. There is some control of basic present-tense forms, but greater accuracy with articles, prepositions, passive structures, and clause connections is needed.

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.