Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The given diagram illustrates how the geothermal energy is used to generate electricity. Overall, the geothermal plant produce electricity for five steps first step is cold water and last step is generator turbine.

Firstly, there are five steps to produce electricity for geothermal power plant one is cold water pumped down to second step the injection well difference between both cold water and injection well 4.5 kilometer but injection well gave water help for geothermal zone (hot rocks) to the third step the production well and production well hot water water pumped up through step fourth condenser and condencer waste steam in condenser step pass to last step generator turbine in generator turbine both process first is ( powered by steam ) function is rotating and pass and second process ( powered by turbine and produces electricity ) after this geothermal power plant process electricity is generated and go to home helps of tower respectively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as geothermal electricity production and include its main stages: cold water is sent down the injection well, heated by hot rocks, brought up through the production well, and used to generate electricity. However, the overview is unclear and partly inaccurate: “the last step is generator turbine” combines two separate components, and the process has more than five stages if the condenser, steam, turbine and generator are distinguished. Some details are also misreported or difficult to interpret, such as saying the injection well “gave water help” for the geothermal zone and that the condenser “waste steam.” To improve, give a concise overview of the transformation from cold water to electricity, then describe each stage accurately, including the turbine driving the generator.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is an attempt to organise the response with “Overall” and “Firstly,” and the stages are generally presented in process order. However, the writing does not develop into clear, separate paragraphs, and the long sequence beginning “there are five steps” contains many ideas joined together without clear boundaries. This makes the relationships between the wells, condenser, steam, turbine and generator difficult to follow. Linking expressions such as “after this” and “respectively” do not always clarify the sequence. Use a short overview paragraph followed by a body paragraph that describes the stages in order, with one main step per sentence and clear links such as “next,” “once heated,” and “finally.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “geothermal zone,” “condenser” and “generator,” which helps identify the equipment. However, the range is limited and several word choices or combinations make the process unclear. For example, “waste steam” does not accurately describe the condenser’s role, while “generator turbine” incorrectly merges two components. “Difference between both” and “go to home helps of tower” are also unclear or unnatural. Aim for precise process verbs and standard collocations, such as water being “pumped down,” “heated,” and “pumped back up,” and steam “driving” a turbine. Check spelling and avoid repeating “step” when a more specific noun is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to describe a sequence using longer sentences, but these are often faulty and make relationships between ideas hard to understand. For instance, “Overall, the geothermal plant produce electricity for five steps” has subject–verb agreement and sentence-structure problems, while “first step is cold water and last step is generator turbine” lacks clear grammatical links and articles. The extended sentence beginning “Firstly, there are five steps” also contains several clauses joined without reliable punctuation. Most structures are simple or incomplete, and control of verb forms, agreement and sentence boundaries is inconsistent. Practise writing one complete sentence for each stage, using accurate present simple forms, articles and punctuation before attempting longer combinations.

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