Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-01

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)

This diagram illustrates the process in which geothermal energy is used to generate electricity.

This process consist of several steps. It starts with storing the cold water into a tank and ends with production of electricity from turbine.

First of all, the cold water is stored in a tank that is placed on ground then there is a 4.5 km long tunnel straight into ground which is named as injection well. Cold water is pumped down into well. This cold water travels from the geothermal zone and reached to the next well which is named as production well.

After that the next step is to pump the hot water into condenser where it is converted into steam. The condenser is attached with turbine to transfer steam into turbine with help of which turbine works and it powers the generator which produces electricity. Then through wires electricity is transfared to cities through electricity towers.

AI examiner evaluation

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 distribution of electricity. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview or summary of the process as a whole. While the key features are identified, the explanation of the 'geothermal zone' and the transition between the condenser and the turbine is slightly underdeveloped. To reach a higher band, ensure you include a clear introductory overview that highlights the cyclical nature of the process and provides a more cohesive summary of the main stages.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized logically, following the sequence of the diagram. Paragraphing is present, though the second paragraph is quite dense and could be broken down further for better readability. Cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'After that', and 'then' are used to guide the reader, but they are somewhat repetitive and mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and better sentence integration to avoid a 'list-like' feel.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using technical terms like 'injection well', 'production well', 'condenser', and 'turbine' correctly. However, the range is limited, and there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'placed on ground' instead of 'at ground level' and 'transfared' (spelling error). The writing relies on basic verbs like 'is' and 'has'. To improve, incorporate more precise verbs and descriptive phrases to explain the process, such as 'circulates', 'harnesses', or 'facilitates'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'This process consist of' (subject-verb agreement), 'into ground' (missing article), and 'reached to the next well' (incorrect preposition usage). While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, consistent use of articles, and ensuring that verb tenses remain consistent throughout the description of the process.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.