Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-13

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 5.0)

this diagram illustrate the geo thermal enegery which is used to produce the electricity

overall , there are 5 main steps for production electricity each step has its own significant these steps shows how cold water pump down and hot pump up and turbine and generate

in 1 st step the cold water is store and then cold water put down 4.5km and the second step show the injection wall inject all the water and push to geo thermal zone , in this water becomes hot for because there are numerous rich which convert water into hot water after that

the production well which is used to hot water pumped up go to the confessor which convert into hot water into steam that steam is used for turbine which steam we have is used for power the turbine and that power of turbine used for generator which produce electricity to use this

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the geothermal energy process but fails to provide a clear or accurate summary. While the main stages are mentioned, the description of the process is confusing and lacks technical accuracy (e.g., referring to a 'confessor' instead of a condenser). The overview is weak and does not effectively highlight the key features of the diagram. The explanation of how the water is heated and converted to steam is disjointed, making it difficult for the reader to follow the cycle. To improve, you should focus on clearly identifying the sequence of events and using precise terminology to describe the mechanical components shown in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the logical progression is hindered by poor sentence structure and a lack of effective cohesive devices. Transitions between steps are repetitive (e.g., 'in 1st step', 'and the second step') and often misused. The referencing is unclear, particularly in the final paragraph where the connection between the turbine, generator, and electricity production is muddled. The use of punctuation is inconsistent, with missing commas and periods, which disrupts the flow of information. To reach a higher band, you need to use a wider range of linking words and ensure that each sentence logically follows the previous one.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and contains several inaccuracies that impede clarity. Terms like 'injection wall' (likely injection well) and 'confessor' (likely condenser) demonstrate a lack of familiarity with the subject matter. There is also a reliance on basic, repetitive language such as 'hot water' and 'cold water' without using more precise alternatives like 'thermal energy' or 'geothermal reservoir'. Spelling errors, such as 'enegery' and 'geo thermal', are frequent and detract from the professional tone required for an Academic Task 1 response. Expanding your vocabulary to include process-specific terminology is essential.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The grammatical control is weak, with frequent errors that often cause confusion. There are significant issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'this diagram illustrate'), missing articles, and incorrect word forms (e.g., 'significant' used as a noun). The sentence structures are mostly simple and often fragmented, lacking the complexity required for higher bands. Many sentences are run-on or lack proper punctuation, making the text difficult to parse. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring correct verb tenses, and practicing the use of complex sentences to describe processes accurately.

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

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