Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-24
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 the steps to produce power from the geothermal energy.
Overall, it can be observed from the diagram that there are five steps to produce electricity, the first step to generate power began from cold water which finally ends at turbine.
In the first stage cold water pumped down to the injection well which is 4.5 km deep. this water then move in geothermal zone through hot rocks to the production well. After the water get hot it pumped up in the condenser. The steam of the hot water moved to the turbine with the help of pipe. Then turbine moves in rotation to generate power.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, as it is only 110 words long. This significantly impacts the task achievement, as the description is underdeveloped. While the student identifies the main stages of the geothermal process, the lack of length prevents a full and detailed summary. Key features, such as the specific role of the generator or the cooling process, are omitted or mentioned too briefly. To improve, the student must expand on the description of each stage and ensure the summary is comprehensive enough to meet the length requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response has a basic logical flow, moving through the stages of the diagram chronologically. However, the use of cohesive devices is limited and somewhat mechanical. For instance, the transition between sentences relies heavily on simple time markers like 'In the first stage' and 'Then'. The paragraphing is insufficient; the entire response is essentially one block of text, which hinders readability. To achieve a higher band, the student should use a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect ideas more fluidly and organize the information into distinct, logical paragraphs.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range expected at higher levels. The student uses basic terms like 'get hot' and 'moved to', which are functional but not academic. There are also minor errors in word choice, such as 'the the' (repetition) and 'turbine moves in rotation'. To improve, the student should incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to energy production, such as 'geothermal reservoir', 'pressurized', 'conversion', or 'electricity generation', and focus on more sophisticated collocations to describe the process.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'the steps to produce power from the geothermal energy' (missing article/preposition usage), 'cold water pumped down' (missing auxiliary verb), and 'this water then move' (subject-verb agreement error). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some sentences lacking proper capitalization or ending punctuation. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors limits the score. The student should focus on subject-verb agreement, consistent tense usage, and correct article placement.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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