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 layout of geothermal power plant illustrate the process of production of geothermal electricity.
Overall, it describes that it takes five major steps to generate electricity with the help of cold water.
First, there is a storage of cold water which is connected to the injection well through a tunnel which is 4.5 km long. Water reaches to the injection well through tunnel which leads the water to the geothermal zone where there are hot rocks placed who are responsible for heating the water. In Third step water reaches to the production well from where it is pumped up to a chamber called condenser which turn the water into steam.
Than in the fifth phase the produced steam is used to rotate the turbines. These turbines gives power to the generator which is connected to turbine. With the help of turbine power the generator produces electricity. At the end The generated electricity than distributed through transmission line.
Overall, the layout describes the whole process in detail and is very understandable.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the geothermal process, identifying the injection well, geothermal zone, production well, condenser, and turbine/generator. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the process as a whole. While the prompt asks for comparisons, the response focuses purely on sequential description. The mention of 'five major steps' is a good attempt at an overview, but the analysis of the diagram is slightly superficial. To improve, ensure that the relationship between the components is explained more clearly, rather than just listing the steps in order.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and the sequence of events is easy to follow. Cohesive devices such as 'First', 'In Third step', and 'At the end' are used to guide the reader. However, the transition between sentences is sometimes repetitive, and the use of referencing is occasionally weak (e.g., 'These turbines gives power to the generator which is connected to turbine'). The final sentence is somewhat redundant as it repeats the idea of the process being understandable, which is not necessary for a task summary. Improving the variety of linking words would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, using technical terms like 'geothermal zone', 'injection well', and 'condenser' correctly. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'layout of geothermal power plant illustrate' (should be 'illustrates') and 'gives power to' (a more precise term would be 'drives' or 'powers'). The range is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the sophistication required for a higher band. Focusing on more precise verbs and avoiding repetitive phrasing will help elevate the score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('plant illustrate', 'turbines gives') and missing articles ('in Third step', 'through transmission line'). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, pay closer attention to pluralization and the correct use of articles, and try to incorporate a wider variety of complex sentence structures to demonstrate greater control over grammar.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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