Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-17
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 power plant is used to produce electricity.
Overall, geothermal energy process consist of five stages to generate electrical energy, beginning with storing cold water and ending with producing power.
To begin with, cold water is stored. After that it pumped down to 4.5 kilometers under the earth. Next the water pass trough the injection well. Before reaching to the production well it creates geothermal zone between injection well and production well. Subsequently hot rocks convert cold water into hot water. Following this hot water pumped up to the ground through the production well. After hot water being pumped up in condenser, it converted into steam. Once steam passed in turbine and turbine use steam for power, then it pass through the generator. Finally generator is used by turbine and it produces electricity. After that electricity is distributed by tower. This process is continues to create electrical energy.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the geothermal energy process, from the injection of cold water to the distribution of electricity. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview of the relationship between the components. The summary is accurate, but it could be improved by grouping the stages more logically (e.g., the underground phase versus the surface phase) rather than listing them sequentially. While all parts of the diagram are addressed, the explanation of the 'geothermal zone' and the interaction between the turbine and generator is slightly simplified, which limits the depth of the response.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into a logical sequence, moving from the start of the process to the end. The use of cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'After that', 'Next', and 'Finally' helps the reader follow the steps. However, the paragraphing is weak; the body of the essay is presented as a single, dense block of text. Breaking this into two distinct paragraphs—one for the underground process and one for the surface electricity generation—would significantly improve the flow and structure. Referencing is generally clear, though some transitions feel repetitive.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using technical terms like 'injection well', 'production well', 'condenser', and 'turbine' correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. Phrases like 'hot water pumped up' and 'generator is used by turbine' are functional but lack the precision expected at higher bands. There are minor issues with word choice, such as 'This process is continues', which is grammatically incorrect and reflects a lack of lexical control. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more varied verbs and descriptive nouns to explain the mechanical process.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'geothermal power plant is used' (missing an article), 'it pumped down' (missing auxiliary verb), 'water pass trough' (subject-verb agreement and spelling), and 'Once steam passed in turbine' (preposition error). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to distract the reader. The use of passive voice is appropriate for a process description, but the execution needs more attention to detail regarding articles, verb tenses, and prepositions.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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