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 shows the process of generating electricity using geothermal energy. It is a 5 step process which ultimately ends up producing electricity by pumping cold water through geothermal zones.

Overall, it has 5 distinct processes. The whole procedure starts from cold water getting pumped downwards into the geothermal zone to get heated. Then the hot water is pumped up into a condenser then the generator produces electricity.

A more detailed explanation of each process would be that first the cold water needs to reach the hot rocks which is 4.5 kilometers underground. Then step 2 is to allow the water pass through them to get heated. Then the third step requires it to get pumped back to the ground, where it gets passed into a condenser.

After that, the condenser plays a vital role, turning the hot water into steam, which is the end of step 4. Afterwards, step 5 involves the steam rotating the turbine, which provides the kinetic energy needed to power the generator. The generator then converts that to electricity. Then it passes on to our homes using the power lines.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the geothermal energy process, from the injection of cold water to the final distribution of electricity. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and relies on a step-by-step listing approach rather than a more analytical summary. While the key features are identified, the overview is slightly simplistic. To reach a higher band, you should focus on synthesizing the information more effectively, perhaps by grouping the stages into functional phases (e.g., the injection phase, the heat exchange phase, and the power generation phase) rather than simply numbering them as steps.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. You use basic cohesive devices like 'first,' 'then,' and 'after that' to sequence the information. However, the reliance on these simple transition words makes the flow feel somewhat mechanical. To improve, try to vary your cohesive devices and use more sophisticated referencing to link ideas between sentences. For example, instead of starting multiple sentences with 'Then,' you could use participial phrases or relative clauses to integrate steps more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'geothermal zone,' 'condenser,' 'kinetic energy,' and 'turbine' correctly. However, the vocabulary is largely functional and lacks the precision or sophistication required for higher bands. There is some repetition of basic verbs like 'get' and 'pumped.' To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic collocations and avoid informal phrasing such as 'ends up producing' or 'get heated,' opting instead for more formal alternatives like 'results in the generation of' or 'undergoes heating.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, and your meaning is generally clear throughout the response. There are some minor grammatical issues, such as 'allow the water pass' (should be 'allow the water to pass') and 'the whole procedure starts from cold water getting pumped' (which is slightly informal). While you have control over basic grammar, the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. Incorporating more varied sentence patterns, such as passive voice constructions (which are ideal for describing technical processes), would enhance your score.

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

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