Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-08-31

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 represents how electricity is produced from geothermal energy. This type of electricity is produced using a geothermal plant. The whole process of electricity production is divided into five parts. Starting from injection of water underground, its conversion into steam, which is finally used to run turbines to generate electricity.

First, the cold water is pumped four and a half kilometer below the ground through the injection well. In next step this pumped water than passes through a geothermal zone of hot rocks and is ready to be pumped upwards.

In the third step, the hot water from the geothermal zone is pumped above the ground through a production well, this water then undergoes fourth step in which hot water is converted into steam when it reached the condenser.

Now finally, In the fifth step this steam helps rotate the turbine, this turbine than powers the generator which produces electricity. Hence, electricity produced from the geothermal plant is now ready to be used and distributed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main features of the geothermal energy production process, identifying the key stages from injection to electricity generation. However, the description is somewhat mechanical, following a step-by-step list rather than providing a cohesive summary of the process. While the main features are reported, the comparison of stages is limited, and the overview is quite basic. To reach a higher band, you should focus on grouping the stages more logically (e.g., the underground phase vs. the surface phase) and providing a more sophisticated overview that highlights the cyclical nature of the process rather than just listing steps.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical, relying heavily on 'First', 'In next step', and 'In the third step'. The transition between sentences is occasionally abrupt, and some referencing is unclear, such as 'this water then undergoes fourth step'. To improve, try using a wider variety of linking words and phrases to show the relationship between the stages, and ensure that pronouns and references clearly point back to the previously mentioned nouns.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with terms like 'geothermal plant', 'injection well', and 'condenser' used correctly. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are some awkward word choices, such as 'four and a half kilometer' (should be plural 'kilometers') and 'above the ground' (more naturally 'to the surface'). There is little evidence of less common lexical items or sophisticated collocations. To improve, aim to incorporate more precise technical vocabulary and vary your word choices to avoid repeating the same verbs like 'pumped' and 'produced'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. For example, 'four and a half kilometer' lacks pluralization, 'In next step this pumped water than passes' contains a spelling error ('than' instead of 'then') and missing articles, and 'when it reached the condenser' uses the wrong tense (should be 'reaches'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. Focus on subject-verb agreement, article usage, and consistent tense control.

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

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