Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

The given process illustrates the genrestion of electricity from geothermal power plant. It is linear five steps to generate electricity cold water, the injection well, the production well, condenser and turbine. Beging with pumping cold water and ending with genreting electricity by generator.

The process begins with cold water in a tank it is pumped down through injection which is 4.5 kilometers underground. The geothermal zone comprised of hot rocks is attached at 90 degree angle to the well the water heats up when it is pass over these rocks.

On the opposite of the injection well is a production well through which water is pumped back up above ground frome the geothermal zone. The hot water is convert into steam after passes through a condenser the steam moves further and powers a turbine is attached to generator. The generator which is powered by the turbine produces electricity transferred into the tower.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the geothermal energy process, including the injection well, the geothermal zone, the production well, and the turbine/generator system. However, the overview is somewhat disjointed, and the description of the process flow is occasionally unclear. For example, the statement that the water 'is convert into steam after passes through a condenser' is technically inaccurate based on the diagram, which shows the condenser occurring after the turbine. The response identifies the key features but lacks the precision required for a higher band score, as some technical relationships are misrepresented.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is divided into three short paragraphs, which helps with organization. However, the progression of ideas is sometimes mechanical and lacks smooth transitions. While some cohesive devices are used (e.g., 'The process begins with', 'On the opposite of'), the referencing is occasionally confusing, such as the phrase 'is attached at 90 degree angle to the well', where the subject is unclear. The logical flow is present but could be significantly improved by using more varied linking words and ensuring that each sentence clearly connects to the previous one.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but contains several spelling errors (e.g., 'genrestion', 'Beging', 'genreting', 'frome') and word-choice inaccuracies. The range is limited, relying on basic descriptors. While the student attempts to use technical terms like 'injection well' and 'geothermal zone', the frequent spelling mistakes and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'is convert into steam') detract from the overall quality. To improve, the student should focus on accurate spelling and using more precise verbs to describe mechanical processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include missing articles ('in a tank', 'is attached to generator'), incorrect verb forms ('is convert into steam', 'after passes through'), and awkward sentence construction. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar and punctuation prevents the response from reaching a higher band. More attention to subject-verb agreement and proper sentence structure is needed.

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

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