Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the process to use geothermal energy to produce electricity.

Overall, the transformation process consists of several stages, starting with cold water being pumped down to the injection well and ending with electricity being produced by the generator that is getting powered by a turbine.

Initially, cold water gets pumped down to the injection well. The distance between the cold water source and the injection well is about 4.6km. The water then passes through the geothermal zone to the production well. This geothermal zone is basically hot rocks. As the rocks are hot, the water that flows through it also gets warm. The hot water then gets pumped up to the condenser.

Following that, the condenser creates steam the flows to the turbine and powers it. The turbine gets powered by this steam and starts rotating. The turbine then moves the generator and which results in the prodcution of electricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

You have successfully identified the main stages of the geothermal energy production process. You included key details such as the depth of the injection well and the transformation of water into steam. However, the response lacks a clear overview of the entire cycle, such as the fact that it is a continuous, closed-loop system. While you covered the main features, the description of the 'geothermal zone' as 'basically hot rocks' is a bit informal for an Academic Task 1 report. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive summary of the process flow in the introduction and maintain a formal, objective tone throughout.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, with a clear progression from the initial injection to the final electricity production. You use basic cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Following that', and 'The water then' to guide the reader through the stages. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the process steps, and the final stage. To reach a higher band, try to incorporate a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that the transition between sentences feels less mechanical. Currently, the flow is functional but relies on simple, repetitive linking structures.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the process clearly. You use relevant technical terms like 'injection well', 'condenser', and 'generator'. However, there are some instances of imprecise or informal word choices, such as 'basically hot rocks' and 'gets pumped'. Additionally, there is a minor spelling error ('prodcution'). To improve, aim for more precise academic vocabulary—for instance, using 'heated by' instead of 'gets warm' and 'subterranean' instead of 'hot rocks'. Expanding your range of descriptive verbs will help elevate your score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is always clear, there are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'the process to use' (should be 'the process of using') and 'steam the flows' (a typo for 'that flows'). The sentence 'The turbine then moves the generator and which results in the prodcution of electricity' is grammatically awkward due to the unnecessary 'and'. To improve, focus on refining your use of relative clauses and ensuring subject-verb agreement. Increasing the frequency of error-free complex sentences will help you move into the higher band range.

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

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