Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-04

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 illustrates the process of generating electricity using geothermal energy.

Ya

The diagram shows how electricity is produced from geothermal energy.

Overall, the process consists of five main stages, beginning with pumping cold water underground and ending with the generation of electricity.

Initially, cold water is pumped about 4.5 kilometres underground through the injection well. It then passes through the geothermal zone, where hot rocks heat the water.

Next, the heated water is brought back to the surface through the production well before being converted into steam in the condenser. The steam is then used to rotate a turbine, which powers a generator to produce electricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, reaching only 107 words. This significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the response. While the main stages of the geothermal process are identified, the lack of length prevents a comprehensive summary. The inclusion of the redundant sentence 'Ya' and the repetitive introductory sentences further detract from the task completion. To improve, you must expand on the details provided in the diagram, such as describing the specific components (injection well, production well, condenser, turbine, generator) in greater depth and ensuring the overview is concise and professional.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is logically sequenced, moving clearly from the initial stage to the final production of electricity. However, the paragraphing is poor; the inclusion of a stray word 'Ya' and the repetitive introductory sentences disrupt the flow. The use of cohesive devices like 'Initially', 'Next', and 'then' is appropriate for a process description, but the overall structure is too brief to demonstrate a wide range of cohesive tools. To improve, ensure that each paragraph serves a distinct purpose and avoid redundant opening statements.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is accurate and appropriate for describing a technical process, such as 'geothermal energy', 'injection well', and 'condenser'. However, the range is limited due to the brevity of the text. There is little evidence of less common lexical items or sophisticated collocations. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more varied vocabulary related to industrial processes, such as 'harnessing', 'facilitate', 'subterranean', or 'conversion', and ensure that the vocabulary is used with greater precision throughout a longer response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The grammar is generally accurate, with simple and complex sentences used correctly. Structures like 'the heated water is brought back to the surface... before being converted into steam' demonstrate a good grasp of passive voice and participial phrases. There are no major errors that impede communication. However, the range of structures is limited by the short length of the response. To achieve a higher score, you should aim to incorporate a wider variety of complex grammatical structures, such as conditional or relative clauses, while maintaining the current level of accuracy.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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