Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-11

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 6.0)

The diagram shows information about the process of production of electricity by using geothermal energy.

In general, it can be clearly seen that there are several stages in the this process and all the stages are essential to complete this process. The stage starts from cold water pumped down and ends at when electricity produced in the generator.

When the first stage starts, cold water 4.5 km pumped down the ground, then the injection well produced geothermal zone of hot rocks under the ground. In the third stage, the production well added and the hot water pumped up from the ground. The hot water converted into condenser and then the turbine was powered by the steam which was produced by condenser.

In the last stage, turbine and generator were attached to each other and the generator was powered by turbine and then finally the electricity was produced in the tower through the generator.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the process as geothermal electricity production and give a broad start-to-finish account, including the underground wells, hot rocks, steam, turbine and generator. This covers the main stages, but some are described inaccurately or unclearly: “cold water 4.5 km pumped down” makes the depth sound like a property of the water, and “the injection well produced geothermal zone” misstates the relationship—the water passes through the hot-rock zone between the wells. The overview says the stages are essential but does not clearly summarise the key transformation from cold water to hot water and then steam. Also, the final electricity is produced by the generator, not “in the tower”; the pylon transmits it. Clarifying these points and reporting the sequence more precisely would strengthen the account.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, a general overview and a chronological description. Sequencing phrases such as “When the first stage starts,” “In the third stage” and “In the last stage” help the reader follow the process, and the stages are presented in a sensible order. However, the progression is sometimes mechanical, with repeated references to “stage” and “process,” and some links between steps are unclear. For example, “the injection well produced geothermal zone” obscures how water moves through the hot rocks to the production well. The final paragraph also combines the turbine, generator and electricity output without clearly distinguishing their functions. More precise linking and clearer references would make the cohesion more flexible and the sequence easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “condenser,” “turbine” and “generator,” which allows you to describe the main equipment. Some less common terms are used, but several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or imprecise. “The hot water converted into condenser” confuses the water with the equipment; it should describe the water entering the condenser and becoming steam. Likewise, “electricity was produced in the tower” does not accurately name the generator’s role or the pylon’s function. Repetition of “process,” “stage” and “produced” also limits flexibility. Aim for precise verbs such as “passes through,” “is heated,” “is converted into” and “drives” when describing the stages.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, grammatical control is uneven, particularly with passive forms, articles and sentence construction. For example, “cold water 4.5 km pumped down” needs a verb phrase such as “is pumped down through a well that is 4.5 km deep,” while “the hot water pumped up” also needs “is.” In “the production well added,” the passive form should be “is added” or, more accurately, “the water is pumped up through the production well.” The phrase “ends at when electricity produced” combines incompatible structures and omits a verb. Practise forming accurate passive sentences for process descriptions and check that each clause has a complete verb phrase.

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