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 diagram illustrates how geothermal energy used to produce electricity
There are total five stages of producing electricity shown in picture . It's start with cold water which pumped down heat up and pumped up by different procedures producing steam, strat turbine and ends in generator where the electricity produced.
1st of all cold water is pumped down through the injection wall 4.5km deep down.
In 2nd step water is passed through that geothermal zone. Geothermal zone is made up with hot rocks This hot rocks heat up the water. In 3rd step hot water hot water which is heated by hot rocks are pumped up through the production well . In the 4th step water entered condenser where's this hot water concerted into steam . In 5th step steam which produced from hot water start the turbine and turbine give power to generator and generator start to produce energy.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the geothermal energy process, but the overview is underdeveloped. While you identify that there are five stages, you do not provide a clear summary of the overall process or the key transformation involved. The description of the steps is generally accurate, but some technical details are slightly inaccurate (e.g., the condenser is usually where steam is converted back to water, not the other way around). To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive overview in the introduction and focus on accurately describing the flow of the process rather than just listing steps. The response is sufficient in length, but the depth of analysis regarding the energy conversion is limited.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite mechanical and repetitive, such as starting multiple sentences with 'In 2nd step', 'In 3rd step', and 'In 4th step'. The transition between ideas is sometimes abrupt, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the phrase 'that geothermal zone' without prior introduction. To improve, try using a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect your sentences more fluidly, and ensure that your paragraphing reflects a logical grouping of the process stages.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range expected for higher bands. You rely on basic verbs like 'pumped', 'start', and 'produce' throughout the text. There are also some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'injection wall' (likely 'injection well') and 'concerted' (likely 'converted'). To achieve a higher score, you should incorporate more specific technical vocabulary related to energy production, such as 'harnessing', 'thermal energy', 'pressurized', and 'facilitate'. Expanding your range of synonyms and ensuring correct collocations will significantly improve the quality of your writing.
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 that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include missing articles ('in picture', 'start with cold water'), subject-verb agreement errors ('This hot rocks heat up'), and awkward phrasing ('steam, strat turbine'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some sentences lacking proper structure. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, particularly the use of articles and verb tenses. Practicing the formation of complex sentences using relative clauses or passive voice would also help demonstrate a wider grammatical range.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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