Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-06
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 schematic diagram illustrates how the geothermal energy produces electricity method of producing electricity.
Overall, the process involves approximately five different phases. The process begin with cold water injected in well, Eventually steam enters the turbine and generate electricity through generator.
To begin with, In the first phase the cold water is pumped down 4.5 kilometers into the injection well. subsequently the pumped water enters the geothermal zone where it is heated up to certain temperature after that the heated water passes through the production well where it is pump upwards and transferred into condenser. Afterwards the remained moisture is separated from the hot water hence it is converted into dry steam. Furthermore, the steam is sent to turbine where the turbine starts rotating with the help of steam therefore electricity is produced through the generator which is connected with the turbine. Eventually the produced electricity is distributed to the several consumers
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the geothermal energy process, from injection to electricity distribution. However, the summary is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the process as a whole. While the key features are identified, the description of the 'geothermal zone' and the conversion to 'dry steam' is slightly simplified. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to synthesize the information more effectively in the overview, highlighting the cyclical nature of the process rather than just listing the steps. The inclusion of the 4.5-kilometer depth is a good use of specific data from the diagram.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'subsequently', 'after that', and 'furthermore'. However, some of these transitions feel slightly repetitive or forced. Additionally, the punctuation is inconsistent, particularly with the use of commas and capitalization after full stops (e.g., 'To begin with, In the first phase...'). Improving the flow between sentences and ensuring consistent punctuation would enhance the overall coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'schematic diagram', 'injection well', 'condenser', and 'geothermal zone' used correctly. However, there are some awkward phrasings and word choices, such as 'remained moisture' (should be 'remaining moisture') and 'distributed to the several consumers' (should be 'distributed to consumers'). The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. Focusing on more natural collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing will help improve your score in this area.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
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 ('The process begin', 'turbine starts rotating... electricity are produced') and missing articles ('injected in well'). Additionally, there are issues with verb forms, such as 'where it is pump upwards' (should be 'pumped'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to affect the overall clarity. Increasing your control over basic grammar and ensuring consistent verb tense usage will be key to improving your score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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