Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-07-25

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 illustrates sequential steps of electricity production using geothermal energy.

Overall, the production of electricity using geothermal energy is comprised of five main steps or stages. The process starts with the treatment of cold water using a specialized process and ends when turbine generates electricity using steam as the source of power.

First of all the cold water is pumped down to an underground area through a pump called injection well. The water is then, collected in an area designed to increase the temperature of water using energy from hot rocks, this area is refered as geothermal zone. Later the hot water is pumped upwards through a pump known as production well.

When water is pumped up from the geothermal zone it enters to a condenser which makes steam. In the last step the steam is sent to turbine with an interconnected vessel where turbine provides power to the generator which finally produces electricity. Later, the electricity is provided to different power grids for distribution purpose.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the geothermal energy process. You have provided a clear overview and described the sequence of events from the injection of cold water to the distribution of electricity. However, the description of the technical process is slightly inaccurate in places; for example, the diagram shows the condenser and turbine as separate components, whereas your text suggests the condenser 'makes steam', which is a misunderstanding of the process. To reach a higher band, ensure that the technical details are accurately reflected in your summary and that you highlight the key features of the diagram more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. You use some cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'Later', and 'In the last step' to guide the reader through the process. However, the flow between sentences is sometimes a bit mechanical, and the use of referencing could be more sophisticated. For instance, the transition between the geothermal zone and the condenser could be smoother. Overall, the progression of ideas is clear, and the paragraphing is appropriate for a process description.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including terms like 'geothermal zone', 'injection well', and 'distribution'. There are some minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'refered as' (should be 'referred to as') and 'enters to a condenser' (should be 'enters a condenser'). While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, it lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band. Incorporating more specific technical terminology and avoiding repetitive phrasing would improve your score in this area.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('the turbine', 'a generator') and punctuation issues (e.g., 'First of all the cold water...'). Some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'turbine provides power to the generator which finally produces electricity'. To improve, focus on article usage and ensuring that your complex sentences are constructed with greater accuracy. Despite these errors, the grammar does not impede communication.

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