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 diagram illustrates how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity in large quantities in geothermal power plant. It has the steps numbered for easy understanding of the procedure even for a layman.

Materials that are used in the procedure are cold water, pumps, geothermal zone (hot rocks), injection and production well, condenser, turbine, and generator. The wells are 4.5 km long.

The process starts from the cold water going into the geothermal zone via injecting well which converts the cold water into hot water. Then the production well pumps the hot water into the condenser. Condenser converts it into steam. Steam causes the turbine to move which in return generates electricity.

To conclude the process of geothermal power plant, steam causes the turbine to move and that movement is the cause for the production of electricity in generator. This electricity is then distributed and used by people in daliy life.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response provides a clear overview of the geothermal energy production process. You have successfully identified the key stages, such as the injection of cold water, the heating process, and the conversion to steam to drive the turbine. However, the response lacks a clear summary of the main features or a comparative element, which is essential for Task 1. The description is somewhat mechanical, listing steps rather than synthesizing the information. To improve, ensure you highlight the cyclical nature of the process and group the information more logically to provide a more comprehensive overview of the entire system.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. You use some cohesive devices like 'Then' and 'To conclude', but the flow is occasionally repetitive, particularly in the final paragraph where you restate the turbine movement. The referencing is generally clear, but the transition between the list of materials and the process description is abrupt. Using a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect the stages of the process more fluidly would enhance the overall coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You have used a range of vocabulary relevant to the topic, such as 'geothermal zone', 'condenser', and 'generator'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing, such as 'in geothermal power plant' (missing an article) and 'daliy life' (spelling error). The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more precise collocations and ensuring correct spelling throughout the text.

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 several grammatical errors, such as missing articles ('in geothermal power plant', 'in generator') and minor punctuation issues. The sentence structure is somewhat repetitive, relying heavily on simple subject-verb-object patterns. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate more complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions (e.g., 'The water is heated as it passes through...'), which are particularly appropriate for describing technical processes.

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

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