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 describes the process of how geothermal energy is used for producing electricity.
overall , there are five main steps of how geothermal energy is used to generate electricity from the powerplant .
In begining of the process cold water is pumped down in 4.5 km long injection well , in continuity cold water is passing through the geothermal zone consists of hot rocks in it , following the process water has entered to production well consist of similar length of 4.5 km long ,by which hot water can pumped up from the well to condenser , in condenser it produce steam which creates turbine effect after the power gets supplied by steam , finally generator produce electricity by turbine effect and passes the electricity to the geothermal power plant .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While the main steps of the geothermal process are identified, the description is quite brief and lacks the necessary detail to fully develop the report. The overview is present but simplistic. To improve, you should expand on the technical aspects of the diagram, such as the specific temperatures or the cycle of the water, and ensure you meet the length requirement to allow for a more comprehensive summary of the information provided.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organised into short paragraphs, but the flow is hindered by repetitive sentence structures and a lack of sophisticated cohesive devices. Phrases like 'in continuity' and 'following the process' are used somewhat mechanically. The progression of ideas is logical, following the steps of the diagram, but the lack of varied linking words makes the text feel disjointed. To improve, focus on using a wider range of transition signals to connect the stages of the process more fluidly and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, unified purpose.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally functional but limited. You rely on basic terms such as 'process', 'produce', and 'powerplant'. There are some inaccuracies in collocation, such as 'turbine effect' and 'power gets supplied by steam', which do not accurately describe the mechanical process shown. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise technical terminology related to energy production, such as 'geothermal reservoir', 'thermal energy', 'pressurised', or 'conversion'. Expanding your range of verbs and nouns will help you describe the diagram with greater precision and sophistication.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Issues include missing articles ('in 4.5 km long injection well'), incorrect preposition usage, and awkward phrasing ('water can pumped up'). There are also punctuation errors, such as the space before the comma in '4.5 km long ,by which'. These errors occasionally make the text difficult to follow. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, correct article usage, and ensuring that complex sentences are constructed accurately without missing auxiliary verbs.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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