Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-14

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 diadram is showing how thermal energy is used to produce electicity.It consist up of five major steps.

In first step, cold water is pumped down into the geothermal zone, which is 4.5 km in depth.In second step, the injection well transfers it into production well.In this process, the temperature of water rises up.

In the third step, hot water rises up to the condenser by the production well.In the fourth step, hot water is converted into the steam by condenser.

The last step is the most crucial step of the whole process, in which steam gives power to turbine.The turbine gives power to the generator which is used to produce electricity.

So, the whole process is how hot water is converted into hot water by pumping it into geothermal zone, then hot water is pumped into condenser in the form of steam.Steam is used for the turbine as a power to produce electricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main stages, including water being heated underground, rising through the production well, and steam driving a turbine and generator. However, the account only partially reports the process: the overview is not clearly separated, and some stage descriptions are inaccurate or unclear. For example, the injection well does not transfer water into the production well; water travels through the geothermal zone before rising in the production well. The final summary also says water is converted “into hot water,” which does not describe the electricity-producing outcome. Clarify the overall sequence and accurately explain that the condenser produces steam, which powers the turbine and generator.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally understandable sequence, supported by signposting such as “In the third step,” “In the fourth step,” and “The last step.” This gives the reader a basic sense of progression through the process. However, the stages are divided inconsistently: the opening calls them five steps, but the first two are described in a way that confuses the roles of the wells. The concluding “So” paragraph repeats earlier information and introduces a confusing summary rather than adding a clear overview. Group the underground heating and return of hot water together, then describe steam generation and electricity production, and use a concise overview to frame the stages.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “geothermal zone,” “injection well,” “production well,” “condenser,” “turbine,” and “generator,” which helps identify the equipment. However, the range of verbs and expressions is limited, with repeated use of “gives power” and “pumped,” and some word choices make the process unclear. “Thermal energy” is less precise here than “geothermal energy,” while “converted into hot water” contradicts the intended meaning. There are also noticeable spelling errors, such as “diadram” and “electicity.” Use precise process verbs such as “flows,” “is heated,” “rises,” “is converted into steam,” and “drives” to describe each stage more accurately.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and linked sentences, for example, “The turbine gives power to the generator which is used to produce electricity.” However, the range remains limited, and errors in sentence construction and punctuation are frequent enough to affect clarity. The opening has a faulty structure in “The diadram is showing how … It consist up of,” and several sentences run together without spaces after full stops, as in “electicity.It” and “depth.In.” There are also problems with articles and phrasing, such as “In first step” and “into the steam.” Practise accurate stage descriptions using a consistent present simple or passive form, and check sentence boundaries, articles, and agreement.

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