Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-21
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 5.0)
in this picture, a geothermal power plant is show cased about how it can be used to generate electricity. the process appears to be more complex then one would wonder. in first step, cold water is taken from the surface of earth for example, an ocean or sea and then it is pumped down around 4.5 km by certain machineries, the process used to pump the water down is knows as the injection well. then it is passed through hot rocks area which is also known as geothermal zone (hence, the name.) so, the water is used for the conservation of energy. once the water is hot enough for the conservation, it passes through the production well which pumps up the hot water to the Condenser. the condenser's job is to turn the hot water into steam. when the condenser gets its job done and turns the water into steam, the turbine, which is powered by steam uses the steam to power the generator. which then turns this energy into electricity, producing electricity for the plant.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response covers the main stages of the geothermal energy process, from the injection well to the generator. However, the report lacks a clear overview or summary of the process, which is a key requirement for Task 1. The description is somewhat narrative rather than analytical, and it misses the opportunity to highlight the cyclical nature of the process. While the main features are identified, the response would benefit from a more structured approach that groups the stages logically rather than just listing them sequentially. The inclusion of personal commentary, such as 'the process appears to be more complex then one would wonder,' is inappropriate for an academic report.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is written as a single paragraph, which hinders the logical progression of the information. A report of this nature should be divided into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs detailing the process stages. While some cohesive devices are used, such as 'in first step' and 'then,' they are used mechanically. The lack of paragraphing makes the text feel like a continuous stream of information rather than a structured summary. To improve, you should use clear paragraph breaks to separate the different stages of the process and use a wider variety of linking words to connect ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is generally adequate to describe the process, using terms like 'geothermal power plant,' 'injection well,' 'condenser,' and 'turbine.' However, there are instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'certain machineries' (machinery is uncountable) and 'conservation of energy' (which is used incorrectly here to describe the heating process). The range is somewhat limited, and the tone is occasionally informal. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise technical terminology and avoiding conversational phrases that do not fit the academic style required for this task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent errors in grammar and punctuation. Examples include 'a geothermal power plant is show cased' (passive voice error), 'more complex then' (should be 'than'), and 'is knows as' (should be 'is known as'). Additionally, there are issues with sentence fragments and run-on sentences, such as 'which then turns this energy into electricity, producing electricity for the plant.' These errors occasionally impede the flow of reading. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct verb forms will significantly improve the clarity of your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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