Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-23

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 given illustrates the production of electricity using geothermal energy.

Overall, the process involve five stages cold water pumping down, passing through hot rocks, pumping up hot water, passing through condenser to produce steam and running the turbine to generate electricity ready for transfer to other areas for consumption.

In the first step cold water is pumped into the ground about 4.5 km depth. In the next step it is passed through the injection well which is a geothermal zone between hot rocks. Consequently water becomes hot and pumped back to the ground. Hot water is passed into a condenser and results in steam production. Lastly, steam run the turbine attached to condenser and generates electricity. This electricity is then distributed to other areas by electricity poles.

The whole process involve use of geothermal energy to convert thermal energy from underground hot rocks to produce kinetic energy of turbine and converted to electric energy for usage.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully identifies the main stages of the geothermal energy production process. You have provided a clear overview and followed the sequence of events from pumping cold water to the final distribution of electricity. However, the description of the process is somewhat mechanical and lacks a more sophisticated synthesis of the information. For instance, the explanation of the condenser's role is slightly inaccurate based on the diagram, as the steam is usually produced underground or via a heat exchanger before reaching the turbine. To reach a higher band, ensure that the technical relationships between the components are described with greater precision and clarity.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph detailing the steps. You have used some cohesive devices such as 'In the first step', 'In the next step', 'Consequently', and 'Lastly' to guide the reader through the process. While the progression is clear, the paragraphing is slightly unbalanced, as the body section is quite dense. Additionally, some transitions feel a bit repetitive. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring a more balanced distribution of information across paragraphs would enhance the overall flow and coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a range of vocabulary appropriate for a technical process, such as 'geothermal energy', 'injection well', 'condenser', and 'kinetic energy'. However, there are some minor issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'running the turbine' instead of 'driving the turbine' or 'powering the turbine'. The vocabulary is generally sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for higher bands. To improve, focus on using more precise technical verbs and collocations related to energy production processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the process involve' instead of 'the process involves') and missing articles (e.g., 'at 4.5 km depth' instead of 'at a depth of 4.5 km'). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, pay closer attention to basic grammatical rules like pluralization, verb tense consistency, and the correct use of articles in technical descriptions.

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

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