Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-19

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 given diagram illustrates the production process of electricity by using geothermal energy from water.

Overall, it can be seen that this process harnesses hot rock to heat water and than steam it which powers turbine and generator to produce electricity.

Geothermal power plant uses cold water which is pumped down 4.5 km underground by the injection well, reaching to the geothermal zone where hot rocks convert cold water into hot water. The heated water is pumped up through the production well which is store in a condenser for steaming. Then the turbine is powered by steam which is also connected to the generator. When the turbine starts rolling, the generator generates electricity. An electric line is also attached to the tower so that the generated electricity provides electric power through the line. After steaming the hot water become cold and this plant restart the same process for producing electricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the geothermal energy process well. You have identified the key stages, such as the injection of cold water, the heating process, and the conversion of steam into electricity. However, the description of the 'condenser' is slightly inaccurate based on the diagram, as the condenser is typically used to cool the steam back into water after it passes through the turbine, rather than being a storage unit for steaming. To reach a higher band, ensure that the technical relationships between components are described with greater precision and that the overview clearly highlights the cyclical nature of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is logically organized, moving step-by-step through the process. You use basic cohesive devices like 'Then' and 'After' to guide the reader. However, the paragraphing is insufficient; the response would benefit from a clearer separation between the introduction/overview and the detailed process description. Additionally, some transitions feel a bit mechanical. To improve, try to vary your linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a distinct thematic focus, which will help the flow of information feel more natural and sophisticated.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'harnesses', 'injection well', and 'geothermal zone'. There are some minor errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'than steam it' (should be 'then turn it into steam') and 'is store in' (should be 'is stored in'). While these errors do not impede communication, they limit the precision of your technical description. To improve, focus on using more precise verbs and ensuring correct word forms when describing mechanical processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'the hot water become cold' (subject-verb agreement) and 'the geothermal zone where hot rocks convert cold water into hot water' (which is clear but could be more concisely phrased). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but there are occasional slips in tense consistency. To achieve a higher band, aim for more error-free complex sentences and ensure that your subject-verb agreement is consistent throughout the text.

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

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