Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-16

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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the production of geothermal energy, which is used to generate electricity.

Overall, the process involves five stages, beginning with cold water being pumped underground and ending with the production of electricity. A complex phase in the entire process is producing steam in the condenser.

Initially, the process begins with cold water is pumped down underground, where it stretches up to 4.5km approximately. After that, the cold water enters into injection well, and it passes through hot rocks in geothermal zone. Next, the water from geothermal zone enters into the production well.

In the subsequent stage, the hot water is pumped up in the production well. Then, the hot water passes through condenser. Thereafter, the hot water is converted into steam and enters the turbine. In the next stage, the turbine is powered by steam, which causes it to rotate. Then, the rotating turbine powers the generator, where electricity is generated. Finally, the electricity is produced and supplied to nearby power station.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the geothermal energy process effectively. You have identified the key features, such as the injection well, the geothermal zone, and the turbine/generator sequence. However, the summary of the process is slightly inaccurate in the overview; you mention that steam is produced in the condenser, whereas the diagram indicates the steam is produced from the hot water before or as it enters the turbine. To reach a higher band, ensure that the technical details are interpreted precisely from the visual data. Overall, the report is clear and provides a logical summary of the provided diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. You use a variety of cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'After that', 'Next', 'In the subsequent stage', and 'Finally' to guide the reader. While the sequencing is effective, the paragraphing could be improved; the second body paragraph is quite long and could be split to better highlight the transition from the underground phase to the surface electricity generation phase. The flow is generally smooth and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'geothermal zone', 'injection well', 'condenser', and 'turbine' correctly. However, the vocabulary is somewhat repetitive, particularly the frequent use of 'process', 'water', and 'produced'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise synonyms or descriptive verbs to vary your language. For example, instead of repeating 'water is pumped', you could use 'fluid is circulated' or 'liquid is forced'. The current range is sufficient to convey the information clearly, but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There are several grammatical errors that affect the fluency of the text. For instance, 'cold water is pumped down underground' contains a redundant 'is', and 'enters into injection well' is missing an article. Additionally, 'where it stretches up to 4.5km approximately' is slightly awkward in phrasing. While you use some complex structures, they are not always error-free. The majority of your sentences are simple or compound, and the errors do not impede communication, but they do prevent the writing from reaching a higher level of grammatical control.

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