Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-28
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 that how electricity generated using geothermal energy.
Overall, it is evident that the process begins with the cold water, and the process concludes with generator turbine.
At the first stage, cold water is stored in a tank which pumped down around 4.5 km subsequently reached the injection wall. Following this, passing through the geothermal zone also known as hot rocks by which water also became hot and in the next stage the hot water pumped up through the production well. Once this has been completed water meets the condenser from where water converted into steam and passed to the generator turbine. In the final stage water converted into the electricity which is powered by the steam through the turbine and produces electricity and reaches the tower for the supply of it. It is the complete step which shows that how electricity is made up just with help of geothermal energy.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the geothermal energy process, from the injection of cold water to the final production of electricity. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview. While the main features are identified, the explanation of the process is occasionally confusing, particularly in the final stage where the transition from steam to electricity is described inaccurately. The response would benefit from a more precise summary of the cycle and a clearer distinction between the underground and surface components of the system to better meet the requirements of a Band 6 or higher.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into a brief introduction and a single body paragraph. While there is a logical progression from the start to the end of the process, the lack of paragraphing makes the text feel dense and less professional. Cohesive devices such as 'At the first stage', 'Following this', and 'In the final stage' are used, but they are somewhat repetitive and mechanical. The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the phrase 'Once this has been completed water meets the condenser', which lacks a smooth transition from the previous stage. Improved paragraphing and a wider variety of linking phrases would enhance the flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the reader to follow the basic steps of the process. However, there is a lack of precision and variety. Phrases like 'made up just with help of' are informal and imprecise. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'injection wall' (likely referring to an injection well) and 'water converted into the electricity'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more technical and precise terminology related to energy production, such as 'geothermal reservoir', 'heat exchange', and 'turbine rotation'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are frequent issues with article usage ('the generator turbine', 'the electricity'), missing auxiliary verbs ('which pumped down' instead of 'which is pumped down'), and awkward sentence structures ('illustrates that how electricity generated'). While the meaning is generally understandable, the lack of control over complex sentence structures and consistent errors in verb forms and prepositions limit the score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice, which is essential for process descriptions, will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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