Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-08

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 diagram illustrates that how electricity is produced with the help of geothermal energy.

Overall the it clearly shows that there is total 5 stages are involved in that plant .The process start from cold water and at the generator and turbine .

In first step the cold water pumped down through athrough the injection well and the this well 4.5 km long after that the water enter in geothermal zone where the hot rock use to hot the water . In the next stage the production well pumps up this hot water after that the water turns into steam in condenser finally this steam is used for turbine . At the end of this plant the turbine powered the generator which produced the electricity .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While you have identified the main stages of the geothermal process, the description is quite brief and lacks the necessary detail to fully develop the information provided in the diagram. For instance, the explanation of the geothermal zone and the conversion of water to steam is somewhat superficial. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive overview of the process, including specific details about the depths or temperatures mentioned in the diagram, and ensure you reach the required length to fully address all parts of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into a brief introduction and a body paragraph, but the structure is quite mechanical. While there is a logical progression from the injection well to the generator, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes repetitive (e.g., 'after that', 'in the next stage'). The paragraphing is insufficient; a clearer separation between the initial stages and the final power generation would improve the flow. To achieve a higher band, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect your ideas more fluidly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, distinct focus.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for describing a process, but it is quite basic and lacks the precision required for a higher band. There are some errors in word choice, such as 'hot the water' instead of 'heat the water' and 'total 5 stages are involved' which is grammatically awkward. To improve, try to incorporate more technical or precise terminology related to energy production, such as 'geothermal reservoir', 'thermal energy', or 'pressurized steam'. Expanding your range of vocabulary will help you describe the process with greater accuracy and sophistication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'The diagram illustrates that how electricity is produced', 'there is total 5 stages', and 'the turbine powered the generator which produced the electricity' (tense inconsistency). The sentence structures are relatively simple, and there is a lack of complex sentence forms. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and ensuring consistent verb tenses when describing a continuous process. Practicing the construction of complex sentences using relative clauses or passive voice would also be highly beneficial.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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