Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-05
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 given process chart depicts the information about how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity. This is a man-made process chart.
Overall, it is crystal clear that there are exactly five steps require to complete this process chart which has been commenced with cold water and is followed by water pumping down and is being ending up with powered by steam to produce electricity.
At a fleeting glance, initial stage of the flow chart starts from chilled water which was pumped down into the ground near about 4.5 kilometers underneath. The next step was the injection well followed by geothermal zone and consists of hot rocks located under the ground. Moreover, the third step after injection well was the production well through which the cold water was converted into hoot water and then after it was pumped up to the floor after production.
Moving further, after production well the hot water was stored in the tank which leads to the forth step named condenser. However, steam produced in condenser is circled in turbine which was powered by steam. The turbines and generator then pass out the electricity towards the transmission tower installed above the ground.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| 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 features of the geothermal energy process. You have identified the key stages, such as the injection well, the geothermal zone, and the production of electricity. However, the description of the process is slightly inaccurate in places; for example, you mention 'cold water' being converted to 'hoot water' (hot water) and then pumped up, but the diagram shows the water being heated by the rocks in the geothermal zone before rising. While you have summarized the process, the explanation lacks the precision required for a higher band. The overview is present but could be more concise and professional in tone.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. You use some cohesive devices like 'Moving further' and 'Moreover' to link ideas. However, some transitions feel a bit mechanical or forced. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the phrase 'then after it was pumped up to the floor after production,' which is confusing. Paragraphing is used appropriately, but the flow between sentences could be smoother to achieve a more natural progression of information.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, using terms like 'geothermal zone,' 'injection well,' and 'condenser.' However, there are several spelling errors ('forth' instead of 'fourth', 'hoot' instead of 'hot') and some awkward phrasing, such as 'at a fleeting glance' and 'near about.' These errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the process, but they do limit the score. To improve, focus on more precise technical collocations and ensure accurate spelling of key terms.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt to use passive voice, which is appropriate for a process description, there are frequent grammatical errors. For instance, 'there are exactly five steps require' should be 'there are exactly five steps required,' and 'which has been commenced' is an awkward use of the present perfect passive. There are also issues with article usage and verb tense consistency. While these errors rarely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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