Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-12

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 6.5)

The diagram depicts the production of electricity using geothermal energy.

Overall, the process constitue of five steps starting with cold water moving downwards and ends with the collection of steam into the turbine which ultimately results in generation of electricity.

Firstly, the cold water pumped down through the injection well of 4.5km. Afterwards, water enters the geothermal zone made up of hot rocks and reaches the production well. The geothermal zone covert cold water into hot. In the third step hot water pumped up from the production well to the condenser.

Additionally, all the steam from hot water is collected in the condenser and passes through a channel attached to the turbine. The turbine is powered by the steam and starts spining movement. In the final step generator needs turbine power to produce electricity. The generator than provide electricity to the electrical tower from where it is supplied to the whole city.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence from cold-water injection through heating, steam production and electricity generation, and the overview identifies the process’s beginning and end. The 4.5 km depth is also reported accurately. This gives a clear account of the central stages. However, the overview says there are five steps without clearly distinguishing the numbered stages from the later turbine and generator operations, and some details are imprecise: the condenser is described as collecting steam, whereas the diagram shows it releasing steam, and the electricity is said to supply the “whole city,” which is not shown. To strengthen the response, describe the condenser’s role precisely and avoid adding unsupported outcomes. The main features are present, but some are less fully or accurately explained.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response follows the process in a logical order, moving from the injection well to the geothermal zone, production well, condenser, turbine and generator. The opening overview and sequencing expressions such as “Firstly,” “Afterwards,” “Additionally” and “In the final step” help the reader follow the stages. The paragraphing also separates the overview from the detailed account. Some links are slightly mechanical, and “Additionally” does not clearly signal the next stage in a sequence. The overview’s reference to five steps is also not fully aligned with the later description of the turbine and generator. Use a consistent stage structure and more precise transitions, such as “Next” and “Finally,” to make the progression even clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “geothermal zone,” “production well,” “condenser” and “turbine,” which makes the subject clear. Terms such as “pumped downwards” and “powered by the steam” also communicate key actions. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or informal: “collection of steam into the turbine” does not describe the condenser’s role precisely, and “starts spining movement” is an awkward way to describe the turbine operating. There are also spelling and word-form slips, including “constitute,” “covert” and “spining.” Aim for precise process verbs and check spelling; for example, say that steam “passes to” or “drives” the turbine. This would make the vocabulary more accurate and controlled.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including the overview sentence with “starting with” and “ends with,” and the sequence of clauses describing water’s movement. The overall meaning is generally understandable. However, some grammatical errors recur, particularly missing articles and auxiliary verbs: “through the injection well of 4.5km” needs a more complete construction, while “hot water pumped up” and “generator needs turbine power” lack expected grammatical elements. There are also errors in verb forms and agreement, as in “the geothermal zone covert cold water” and “the generator than provide electricity.” Review subject–verb agreement, past participles in passive process descriptions, and article use. More consistently accurate clauses would improve control while retaining your range of sentence structures.

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