Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The drawing illustrates the method through which geothermal energy is used to generate electricity.

The overall concept of this method is taking cold water and then passing it through hot rocks which leads to increase in the waters temperature generating steam which further helps to generates electricity by the help of turbine and lastly a generator.

Firstly, the cold water is stored and then it travels a 4.5 km tube which takes it underground . Then through the injection well the water enters a geothermal zone consisting of hot rocks. After the water gets hot it is passed through the production well. Furthermore, the hot water travels a distance of 4.5 km up again and reaches in the condenser where its steam is moved to a turbine which is powered by the steam. Moreover, the turbine is connected to the generator which produces electricity . Lastly the electricity is transmitted by the lines to the customers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the geothermal energy production process, from the initial cold water injection to the final electricity transmission. The overview provided in the second sentence is helpful, though it is slightly cluttered. While all key features are identified, the description lacks a clear distinction between the 'injection' and 'production' phases in terms of their purpose, and the comparison of the two 4.5 km stages could be more explicit. The response is accurate in its reporting of the diagram's flow, but it could benefit from a more analytical approach to the process rather than just listing the steps sequentially.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, following the sequence of the diagram. Paragraphing is used, although the second paragraph is quite long and could have been split to improve readability. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Furthermore', 'Moreover', and 'Lastly' are used to guide the reader, though some of these transitions feel slightly mechanical. The progression of ideas is clear, and the referencing (e.g., 'the water', 'the turbine') is generally consistent, ensuring that the reader can follow the process without confusion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with technical terms like 'geothermal zone', 'injection well', 'production well', and 'condenser' used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic verbs like 'travels', 'gets', and 'moves'. There are minor issues with word choice, such as 'by the help of turbine', which is slightly unnatural. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise verbs and collocations related to industrial processes, such as 'circulate', 'harness', or 'facilitate'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'leads to increase in the waters temperature' (missing article and possessive apostrophe) and 'helps to generates' (incorrect verb form). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are some awkward phrasings, such as 'reaches in the condenser'. The majority of sentences are understandable, but the frequency of minor errors prevents a higher score in this criterion.

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