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 process chart illustrates the steps for production of electricity in geothermal plant with usage of geothermal energy. The process is carried out in five steps. main The main steps are collection of cold water to collect steam in the condenser , these steps are below the ground surface
Overall ,From the given information the process starts form cold water which is pumped down 4.5 km into injection well ,then the cold water is passed through geothermal zone (hot rocks) beneath earth surface, the water become hot .Furthermore the production well is used to pump hot water into condenser .
Moreover , In condenser steam is collected and the it is transfered to operate turbine which is powered by steam. Finally the generator which is powered by turbine produces electricity and then electric power is being tranferred by electricity towers to the geothermal plant and then ready for supply to the required areas.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response covers the main stages of the geothermal energy production process, from the injection of cold water to the final distribution of electricity. However, the description is somewhat superficial. For example, the mention of '4.5 km' is a good detail, but the explanation of the cycle between the injection well and the production well lacks technical clarity. The summary of the process is accurate, but it misses the opportunity to highlight the cyclical nature of the system more effectively. The overview is present but could be more integrated into the flow of the report rather than appearing as a separate, slightly disjointed sentence.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into paragraphs, though the paragraphing is somewhat awkward, with the overview appearing in the middle of the text. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Furthermore', 'Moreover', and 'Finally', but they are sometimes used mechanically or with incorrect punctuation (e.g., 'Moreover , In condenser'). The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the phrase 'the it is transfered', which disrupts the flow. While there is a logical progression from the start to the end of the process, the lack of smooth transitions and the inconsistent use of punctuation hinder the overall coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, using terms like 'geothermal zone', 'injection well', 'condenser', and 'turbine'. However, there are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice, such as 'with usage of geothermal energy' instead of 'using geothermal energy' and 'ready for supply to the required areas' which is slightly unnatural. Spelling errors like 'tranferred' and 'form' (instead of 'from') are present. The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with articles (e.g., 'in geothermal plant', 'in condenser') and verb forms (e.g., 'the water become hot', 'the it is transfered'). Punctuation is also problematic, with inconsistent spacing around commas and periods. While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of minor grammatical errors and the lack of control over complex structures prevent the response from reaching a higher band. The sentence structure is often repetitive, relying on simple conjunctions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.