Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-02
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 generation and production of electricity using geothermal energy.
The process takes place at a geothermal power plant. Changes in the state of water occur as it travels above and below the ground. Underground hot rocks are used to heat up water before electricity is produced in a generator.
Cold water stored above the ground is pushed underground by a pump. The cold water travels downwards through an injection well which is 4.5km long. The liquid then passes through a geothermal zone which contains extremely high temperature rocks underground. The rocks heat up the water before it enters the production well. This is the path that hot water takes when it pumped upwards. A condensor traps the hot liquid and changes it into gaseous form.
The steam from the condensor is an input to a turbine. The steam powered turbines are connected to a generator. The electricity produced by the generator then travels to transmission towers through wires.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 7.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 7.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 7.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 7.0 |
| Overall | 7.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.5
The response successfully covers all stages of the geothermal energy production process. You have identified the key features, such as the injection well, the geothermal zone, the production well, and the conversion of steam into electricity. The overview provided in the first paragraph is clear and sets the stage for the detailed description. To reach a higher band, ensure that you explicitly highlight the cyclical nature of the process or make more direct comparisons between the input (cold water) and the output (electricity). Overall, the information is accurate and well-selected, providing a clear summary of the diagram provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0
The essay is logically organized, with a clear progression from the initial injection of water to the final generation of electricity. Each paragraph focuses on a distinct stage of the process, which aids readability. You have used some cohesive devices, such as 'The liquid then' and 'The steam from the condensor', to link ideas. However, the flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and transition signals to connect the sentences more fluidly. Currently, the transition between some sentences feels slightly mechanical. Improving the variety of cohesive devices would enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 7.0
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the technical process, including terms like 'geothermal zone', 'injection well', and 'transmission towers'. There are a few minor spelling errors, such as 'condensor' (should be 'condenser'), and some phrasing could be more precise. For instance, 'travels downwards' is clear, but 'descends' would be more sophisticated. The vocabulary is generally appropriate for the task, and you demonstrate an ability to use subject-specific terminology correctly. To improve, try to incorporate more varied verbs and adverbs to describe the movement and transformation of the water and steam.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are grammatically accurate and easy to follow. There are a few minor errors, such as 'when it pumped upwards' (should be 'when it is pumped upwards'). While you have demonstrated control over basic sentence structures, the range of complex grammatical forms is somewhat limited. To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more varied sentence patterns, such as passive voice constructions or relative clauses, to describe the process more fluently. Overall, the errors present do not impede communication.
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