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)
This diagram shows how electricity is produced by using geothermal energy in five steps. This is the underground process in which cold water is pimped down and hot water is pumped out after passing through underground reactions in rocks.
Overall the process is indicating the production of electricity through geothermal energy. Initially , the cold water is pumped down to 4.5km to the injection well.
In the second phase , water is reached to the geothermal zone where chemical reaction takes place in hot rocks.
The hot water is then pumped out by the production well. After reaching at the surface of the earth, the condenser is used for the production of steam from hot water. This steam is used in turbines and generators in order to produce electricity.
Finally, this geothermal energy is used for different purposes. Hence, the diagram shows two distinct features including on ground and underground process.
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 final production of electricity. However, the description is somewhat superficial. For example, the mention of 'chemical reaction' is a misinterpretation of the diagram, which depicts heat exchange rather than a chemical process. While the overview is present, the report lacks a clear focus on the comparative aspects of the diagram, such as the depth of the wells or the transition between underground and surface components. To reach a higher band, you should provide a more precise description of the technical stages and ensure the information is accurately interpreted.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. You use some cohesive devices like 'Initially', 'In the second phase', and 'Finally' to sequence the steps. However, the flow between sentences is occasionally mechanical. For instance, the transition between the underground process and the surface components could be smoother. Additionally, the use of punctuation is inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas (e.g., 'Initially ,'). Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring consistent paragraph structure will enhance the overall coherence.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the process clearly. You use relevant technical terms such as 'injection well', 'condenser', 'turbines', and 'generators'. However, there are some inaccuracies, such as 'pimped' (a spelling error for 'pumped') and 'water is reached' (incorrect passive construction). To improve, try to incorporate more precise collocations related to industrial processes, such as 'harnessing energy' or 'thermal exchange'. The range is sufficient for the task but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that occur throughout the text. Examples include 'water is reached to the geothermal zone' (incorrect preposition and passive voice usage) and 'after reaching at the surface' (unnecessary preposition). There are also minor errors in verb forms and word choice. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct prepositional usage will help improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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