Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-15

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 7.0)

The diagram illustrates the production of electricity through geothermal energy in a geothermal power plant. From an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that the process is majorly divided into 3 main steps, namely, pumping down cold water and passing it through a hot geothermal zone, converting that water into steam and finally producing electricity through generator and turbine.

Firstly, cold water on the ground is pumped under the ground through a 4.5 km deep injection well. Here, the water is passed through a geothermal zone that is made up of hot rocks, thus, making the water hot. Afterwards, this hot water is pumped upwards to the ground through a production well where it ends up in a condenser. Here, the water gets converted into steam.

At last, this steam is used to rotate a turbine which in turn is used to power a generator through which electricity is finally generated. This electricity can later be used for transmission.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response7.0
Coherence and Cohesion7.0
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy7.0
Overall7.0

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the geothermal energy production process. You have clearly outlined the journey from the injection well to the turbine and generator. The overview is effective, providing a concise summary of the three main phases. However, to reach a higher band, you could provide more specific detail regarding the technical aspects shown in the diagram, such as the depth of the wells or the specific temperature of the geothermal zone. While the key features are covered, the report could be more analytical by explicitly comparing the stages or highlighting the cyclical nature of the process more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction followed by a step-by-step description of the process. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the distinct stages of the cycle. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Afterwards', and 'At last' are used to guide the reader through the sequence. However, the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. The referencing is generally clear, and the progression of information is easy to follow throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

You have used a range of vocabulary appropriate for a process description, such as 'geothermal zone', 'condenser', and 'injection well'. The terminology is accurate and relevant to the task. To improve, try to incorporate more sophisticated collocations or synonyms to avoid repeating words like 'water' and 'pumped'. For instance, instead of 'water gets converted', you could use 'undergoes a phase change' or 'is transformed'. The current vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the process clearly, but lacks the flexibility and precision required for the highest bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 7.0

The response demonstrates a good control of grammar with a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. Most sentences are error-free, and the meaning is always clear. There are minor issues, such as the phrase 'majorly divided', which is slightly unnatural; 'primarily divided' would be more appropriate. Additionally, the use of articles is generally correct, though there is a slight awkwardness in 'through generator and turbine' where articles are missing. Overall, the grammatical control is strong enough to ensure that communication is never impeded.

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

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