Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-07-28
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 diagram consists of a geothermal power plant . which is a great source of energy plant
the geothermal energy plant consists of some components such as generator ,turbine ,a condenser unit etc. the generator is powered by turbine and produces electricity the turbine is powered by the steam the energy is produced by or collected by the energy tower which provides power to the people and the turbine rotates by the by the help of steam which is provided by the condenser . there is a cold water storage which passes though the injection well .the cold water is pumped down through the geothermal zone in the geothermal zone there are hot rocks then the cold water is converted into hot water and the then the hot water is pumped up in the condenser . the process of steam production is carried on and the steam helps rotate the turbine and generate the power which is later passed on to the tower . hence this is the overall process of energy production called the geothermal power plant
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response provides a basic description of the process, but it lacks a clear overview or summary of the main features, which is essential for Task 1. The description is somewhat repetitive and lacks a logical flow, often focusing on individual components rather than the integrated process. While the main steps are mentioned, the explanation of the cycle is slightly inaccurate (e.g., the condenser does not provide steam to the turbine; the steam is produced by the geothermal zone). To improve, you should group the information into logical stages—such as the extraction of water, the conversion to steam, and the generation of electricity—and provide a clear introductory summary.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The text is written as a single, long paragraph, which makes it difficult to follow. There is a lack of paragraphing to separate the different stages of the process. Cohesive devices are used in a very repetitive and mechanical way, such as the frequent use of 'the' and 'and'. There is little variety in linking words, and the progression of ideas feels disjointed. To achieve a higher band, you should organize your response into clear paragraphs (e.g., an introduction, a body paragraph for the extraction process, and a body paragraph for the electricity generation) and use a wider range of cohesive devices like 'subsequently', 'following this', or 'as a result'.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'energy', 'power', and 'produced'. There is little attempt to use more precise, academic vocabulary related to technical processes. For instance, instead of saying 'the energy is produced by or collected by', you could use more specific verbs like 'generated', 'harnessed', or 'facilitated'. Furthermore, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'energy plant' instead of 'power plant'. To improve, try to incorporate more topic-specific vocabulary and avoid repeating the same words in close proximity.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response consists mostly of simple sentences with frequent punctuation errors, such as missing capital letters at the start of sentences and incorrect placement of periods (e.g., 'plant . which'). There is a lack of complex sentence structures, which are necessary for higher band scores. Additionally, there are several grammatical slips, such as 'the turbine is powered by the steam' (missing 'the' or using it unnecessarily) and 'the process of steam production is carried on'. To improve, focus on using a variety of sentence structures, such as relative clauses or passive voice constructions, and ensure your punctuation is accurate.
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