Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-11
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 diagram illustrates how geothermal energy is processed and produce electricity.
overall, it can be clearly seen that, it involves five main stages. the process is clinical and involves pumping cold water underground, heating it using natural geothermal heat, and then using the resulting steam to drive a turbine and generator. the cooled water is then recycled back into the system.
the process begins with cold water being pumped down to underground through the injection well to a depth of 4.5 kilometers. the water travels through pipes to the geothermal zone. where hot rocks heat it up. the hot water is them pumped back to the surface through a production well.
at the surface, the hot enters the condenser where it is converted into steam. this steam is used to a power turbine. the turbine is turn the generator, which produces the electricity that is transmitted via power lines. after passing through the turbine, the steam enters the condenser and cools down, turning back into water.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response successfully identifies the main stages of the geothermal energy process. You have clearly outlined the cycle from the injection of cold water to the generation of electricity. The overview is concise and effectively highlights the cyclical nature of the process. However, the description of the condenser stage is slightly inaccurate based on the provided diagram, as the steam is used to drive the turbine before entering the condenser to be cooled. To reach a higher band, ensure that the technical sequence is described with absolute precision and that all key features, such as the depth of 4.5km, are integrated more naturally into the narrative flow.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs covering the process steps. The progression of ideas is clear, moving chronologically through the stages. You use some cohesive devices like 'the process begins with' and 'after passing through', which help the reader follow the sequence. However, the use of punctuation is inconsistent, with several sentences starting with lowercase letters and some run-on structures. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring consistent paragraphing and sentence-level punctuation would significantly enhance the flow and cohesion of your writing.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including terms like 'geothermal zone', 'injection well', 'production well', and 'turbine'. While the vocabulary is adequate for the task, it is somewhat repetitive, and there are minor errors in word choice, such as 'the process is clinical' (which is not the best fit for a technical description) and 'the hot enters the condenser' (missing the noun 'water'). To improve, try to incorporate more precise verbs and avoid repeating the same sentence structures. The vocabulary is generally functional but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are frequent errors in basic grammar and mechanics. Examples include capitalization errors ('the given diagram', 'overall', 'the process'), missing articles ('to a power turbine'), and subject-verb agreement issues ('the turbine is turn the generator'). These errors are noticeable throughout the text. To achieve a higher score, you must focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy, particularly regarding verb forms and sentence punctuation, as these errors currently detract from the overall quality of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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