Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-07-30

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 7.0)

The diagram illustrates the step-by-step process of producing electricity using geothermal energy. The image displays five main stages of this operation. The geothermal power plant is based on hot rocks that are used to generate electricity.

The First step in creating electricity is to inject cold water from the surface into the subsurface at a depth of around 4.5 km. In the second step, the injection well helps pump cold water down to the geothermal zone. This zone heats the water using hot rocks as a source. The hot water is then pumped into the production well in this phase. The production well carries hot water and its steam to travel towards the surface. The steam is then captured in the condenser in the fourth stage. The turbines are powered by steam to create kinetic energy. This energy is transferred to the generator, which produces electricity in the last step. The electricity is transmitted to the power pole.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the geothermal energy process. You have clearly outlined the progression from injecting cold water to the final production of electricity. However, to reach a higher band, you should aim to provide a more comprehensive overview in the introduction, perhaps by mentioning the location of the hot rocks or the cyclical nature of the process. While you covered the steps well, the report could be improved by explicitly highlighting the key features or the 'main' aspects of the diagram rather than just listing the steps sequentially. Overall, the response is accurate and addresses the prompt effectively.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The information is logically sequenced, following the chronological order of the diagram. You have used some cohesive devices such as 'In the second step' and 'The hot water is then pumped', which helps the reader follow the process. However, the paragraphing is somewhat limited; the response would benefit from a clearer separation between the introduction/overview and the body paragraphs. Additionally, some transitions feel slightly repetitive. Using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'following this', 'as a result') would improve the flow and make the progression of ideas feel more sophisticated.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used appropriate technical vocabulary related to the topic, such as 'geothermal power plant', 'subsurface', 'condenser', and 'kinetic energy'. This demonstrates an adequate range for the task. To improve, try to incorporate more precise verbs and descriptive phrases to avoid repetition of words like 'step' or 'pumped'. For instance, instead of saying 'The production well carries hot water', you could use 'The production well facilitates the transport of hot water'. The vocabulary is generally accurate and does not impede communication, but it lacks the flexibility and sophistication required for a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are clear and grammatically sound, such as 'The turbines are powered by steam to create kinetic energy.' There are a few minor issues, such as the capitalization of 'First' in the second paragraph and the slightly awkward phrasing 'towards the surface'. While you have demonstrated control over basic grammar, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more varied sentence beginnings and perhaps some passive voice constructions, which are particularly suitable for describing technical processes.

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