Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the process that is followed to produce electricity from geothermal energy.

Overall, the whole process is made of five essential steps that allow using hot rocks in geothermal zones in order to heat up water, and use the steam collected from condensation to power turbines and to generate electricity.

In more detail, the cold water that is stored on the surface is pumped down through a 4,5 kilometres long tube. Furthermore, the latter passes through a geothermal zone that contains hot rocks, which leads the water to heat up.

Nevertheless, the resulted hot water passes through a pipe that is similar to the first and into a condenser above the surface. As a consequence, the released steam powers a large turbine that is attached to a generator, which finally produces electricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response provides a clear overview of the geothermal energy process, identifying the main stages. However, it fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the description. While the key features are mentioned, the explanation is somewhat brief and lacks the depth required for a higher band. To improve, you should expand on the details of each stage, perhaps by describing the physical properties or the cyclical nature of the water flow more thoroughly to ensure the response is sufficiently developed and meets the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Furthermore', 'Nevertheless', and 'As a consequence' helps to guide the reader through the process. However, the connection between the paragraphs is slightly mechanical, and the overall flow could be smoother. The paragraphing is appropriate for the task, but the brevity of the response limits the complexity of the cohesive structure. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that the transition between the cooling and heating stages is more fluid.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a range of vocabulary appropriate for a technical description, such as 'condensation', 'geothermal zones', and 'generator'. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'the resulted hot water' (should be 'the resulting hot water') and '4,5 kilometres' (the comma is non-standard in English for decimals; a point should be used). The vocabulary is generally sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. Expanding your range of technical collocations would help improve your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'the whole process is made of five essential steps' (should be 'consists of') and the incorrect use of the comma in '4,5'. While these errors do not impede communication, they are noticeable. To reach a higher band, you should aim for more error-free complex sentences and ensure that your punctuation follows standard English conventions. The control of grammar is generally adequate, but more attention to detail in sentence construction is needed.

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

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