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 diagram describe the use of geothermal energy for the production of energy .

Overall this process is based on 5 stages beginning with the cold water plumbed in to well and ending with the production of electricity by the process of geothermal electricity

While in first stage the cold water get pumped down in to a 4.5 km long well and make it through from the injection hole. After that the cold water go from geothermal zone which have hot rocks which make the water hot then the cold water get pumped up from production well and then after that hot water get condense into condesceing machine .

After the condensing the steam of hot water get transfers to the turbine to give power and which get started and produce power to the generator and when generator is ready the production of electricity get start and that how geometrical electricity is produced

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the geothermal energy process, identifying the injection, heating, and electricity generation phases. However, the description is somewhat superficial and lacks precision in reporting the technical details shown in the diagram, such as the specific depth of the well or the distinction between the injection and production wells. The summary is functional but lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band, as it focuses on a simple narrative rather than highlighting key features or making meaningful comparisons between the stages.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is repetitive and sometimes mechanical, such as the frequent use of 'after that' and 'and then'. The logical flow is occasionally interrupted by awkward phrasing, such as the transition between the condensing machine and the turbine. While the overall progression is clear, the lack of varied linking words and the somewhat disjointed sentence structure limit the effectiveness of the cohesion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate to describe the process, but it is quite limited and repetitive. There are several instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'condesceing machine' (likely referring to a condenser) and 'geometrical electricity' (a misuse of the term geothermal). The range of vocabulary is narrow, relying on basic verbs like 'get' and 'make' rather than more precise technical terminology appropriate for an academic report. To improve, you should focus on using more specific nouns and verbs related to energy production.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Subject-verb agreement is inconsistent, for example, 'The diagram describe' and 'the cold water get pumped'. There are also issues with article usage and sentence structure, such as 'make it through from the injection hole' and 'that how geometrical electricity is produced'. While the attempt to use complex sentences is present, they are often faulty, leading to run-on sentences that lack proper punctuation. A greater focus on basic grammatical accuracy and sentence boundary control is necessary.

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

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