Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-29
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 illustration shows the procedure for the production of electricity from scratch by applying geothermal energy.
Overall, it is a systemic 5 step process from the injection of cold water into the Earth to the conversion of steam from hydrogen oxide and finally to the generation of electricity using mechanical appliances.
Firstly, cold water is pumped down into the ground which journeys a long distance of 4.5 kilometres before approaching the injection wall. The water passes through a series of hot rocks in a geothermal zone after leaving the injection well where the freezing water is boiled to a much higher temperature. The by-product then approches the production well where the well pushes the water back up into the surface.
The condenser converts the hot water into steam. The steam is used to power up the turbine and conversely, the turbine is required to start the generator for the mass production of electricity to the power cables and stations.
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 injection to electricity generation. However, the description of the process is slightly inaccurate in places; for instance, the text claims the condenser converts hot water into steam, whereas the diagram indicates the steam is already present before reaching the turbine. Additionally, the mention of 'hydrogen oxide' is an unnecessary and slightly confusing scientific term for water in this context. While the main features are identified, the overview is a bit mechanical. To reach a higher band, ensure that the technical details are accurately reflected from the diagram and that the overview synthesizes the process more fluidly.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, moving from an introduction to the process steps. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Overall', and 'conversely' are used to guide the reader. However, the use of 'conversely' is slightly misused here, as the relationship between the turbine and the generator is one of sequence or dependency rather than opposition. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overview from the detailed steps. The progression of ideas is generally clear, though the transition between the injection well and the production well could be smoother to better reflect the cyclical nature of the process.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'geothermal zone', 'mechanical appliances', and 'production well'. There are some minor issues with word choice, such as 'hydrogen oxide' (which is unnecessarily technical and awkward) and 'approches' (spelling error). The phrase 'from scratch' is also slightly informal for an academic report. While the range is sufficient to convey the meaning, it lacks the precision and sophistication required for higher bands. Focusing on more natural collocations related to industrial processes would improve the score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical errors, such as 'journeys a long distance' (which is slightly unnatural) and 'into the surface' (should be 'to the surface'). Punctuation is generally correct, and the errors present do not impede the reader's understanding of the process. To improve, the student should aim for more varied sentence structures and ensure prepositions are used correctly. The majority of sentences are clear, but the control over complex structures is not yet consistent enough for a higher band.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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