Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-07
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 plan depicts information about how electricity has been produced by the geothermal energy.
Overall, the cold water is pumped under the well to convert its phase to hot water then the steam has been collected in a condenser and it converted into the electricity with the help of the generator.
Initially, the cold water pumped down into the well at 4.5 kilometers, that area is called the injection well. The water travels through the hot rocks, where it converted into the hot water. Also, that travel zone is called as the Geothermal zone. The hot water pumped up, when it reached that the production well.
Continuing the process, the hot water collected in the condenser and the steam of the hot water travels through a tunnel, which is connected to a moving turbine, powered by the steam. The generator is connected to the turbine, which is powered by turbine and produced the electricity and transferred the electricity to the towers.
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 successfully identifies the main features of the geothermal energy production process. You have clearly outlined the stages from the injection of cold water to the final generation of electricity. However, the report lacks a clear overview of the process as a whole, and some technical details are slightly imprecise (e.g., stating the water is pumped 'under the well' rather than 'into' it). To reach a higher band, ensure that the relationship between the components is described with more precision and that the summary highlights the cyclical nature of the process more effectively.
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 such as 'Initially', 'Continuing the process', and 'Also'. However, the flow is occasionally interrupted by mechanical phrasing, and some transitions feel repetitive. The referencing is generally clear, but the connection between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to show the cause-and-effect relationship between the stages of the diagram more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have used appropriate technical vocabulary related to the diagram, such as 'injection well', 'condenser', 'turbine', and 'generator'. This demonstrates an adequate range for the task. However, there are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'convert its phase' (instead of 'change state') and 'that travel zone is called as' (which is grammatically redundant). To improve, focus on using more natural collocations and avoiding repetitive phrasing when describing the movement of water and steam.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses and articles (e.g., 'how electricity has been produced' should be 'how electricity is produced'; 'the cold water pumped down' should be 'the cold water is pumped down'). There are also issues with passive voice construction and unnecessary articles. These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable but do not prevent the reader from understanding the process.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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