Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-13

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)

Geothermal power plant is used to generate electricity. Cold water is pumped 4.5km down into The injection well , from where it is moved through the geothermal zone ,here water is turned hot and moved into production zone from where hot water is moved up into condenser where this hot water is converted into steam , this steam is taken up by turbine which is powered by steam then generator is powered by turbine and generate electricity . In this way geothermal power plant uses cold water firstly it converts water into hot water via geothermal zone where hot rocks are present and then after moving through production well hot water is moved up into condenser that converts this water into steam . This steam is used to turn on the turbine which is then used to power the generator which then generates electricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence: cold water is sent underground, heated by the hot rocks, brought back to the surface, and used to produce steam that drives a turbine and generator. This is relevant and broadly accurate. However, the response gives no clear overview of the process as a whole, and some stages are imprecise: the water moves into the production well, not a “production zone,” and the condenser is described as converting hot water into steam without clearly explaining its place in the sequence. The explanation is also repeated rather than extended with other key features, such as the 4.5 km depth. The response is 144 words, six short of the required minimum. Develop a concise overview and describe each stage accurately to address the task more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The stages are presented in roughly the correct order, and phrases such as “from where” and “then” help signal movement through the process. However, the response is one long paragraph made up of extended, loosely connected sentences, so the progression is difficult to follow. The second sentence largely repeats the first, including the heating, steam, turbine, and generator stages, rather than adding a new point. Some references are also unclear, particularly “from where” and “this water,” because several locations or processes have just been mentioned. Organise the answer into a brief overview and a clearly sequenced description, using separate sentences for the underground and surface stages and avoiding repeated information.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “geothermal zone,” “condenser,” “steam,” “turbine,” and “generator,” which allows the reader to understand the general subject. However, the range of verbs is limited and repetitive: “moved,” “powered,” and “used” recur, and some choices are imprecise, such as “production zone” for “production well” and “turn on the turbine” for describing its operation. More precise process language would make the account clearer and more natural. For example, water can be “pumped” down, “heated” underground, and “raised” through the production well; steam then “drives” the turbine. Aim to vary accurate verbs while retaining the technical labels shown in the diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts to connect several stages using clauses such as “from where it is moved” and “which is powered by steam,” but most information is packed into long sentences, and control is inconsistent. The opening, “Geothermal power plant is used,” is missing an article, while “generator … generate electricity” has a subject–verb agreement error. Commas are also used where full stops are needed, creating run-on sentences; for example, the first sentence joins many stages without clear boundaries. Capitalisation and spacing around punctuation are inconsistent as well. Use a wider mix of controlled sentence forms, with one or two stages per sentence, and check articles, agreement, and sentence boundaries during revision.

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.