Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The diagram illustrates the production of electricity by using geothermal energy.

Overall, the process consists of five main steps, beginning with cold water and involving its gradual conversion into hot water which produces steam to run turbine, however, the generator powered by that turbine produces electricity.

At the first stage in the process, the cold water is pumped 4.5 kilometers underground through an injection well. Next, the injection well pushes the water to the geothermal zone where hot rocks are located to heat this water. At stage three, when the water becomes hot, a production well, situated on the opposite side of the injection well, is used to pump the hot water up where a condenser is positioned.

At the fourth step shown on the diagram, the condenser produces steam by using the hot water which is used to run a turbine connected with the condenser. At the last stage, a generator is present at the end, connected to the turbine, produces electricity powered by the turbine. This electricity then directly provided to the transformers for further use.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The response successfully identifies the main features of the geothermal energy process. You have clearly outlined the five-stage cycle, from the injection of cold water to the final distribution of electricity. The overview is concise and effectively summarizes the key stages. However, to reach a higher band, ensure that the relationship between components is described with more precision. For instance, the description of the condenser's role is slightly inaccurate based on the diagram, as the steam is produced by the hot water, not by the condenser itself. Overall, the task is well-addressed with a clear focus on the process flow.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The essay is logically organized, with a clear introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological order of the process. You have used transition signals such as 'At the first stage,' 'Next,' and 'At the last stage' to guide the reader. While the paragraphing is appropriate, the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of cohesive devices to avoid a slightly mechanical feel. Referencing is generally clear, though some sentence structures are a bit repetitive in their construction.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

You have used a sufficient range of vocabulary to describe the process, including technical terms like 'injection well,' 'geothermal zone,' 'condenser,' and 'turbine.' The vocabulary is generally accurate and appropriate for the task. To improve, try to incorporate more varied verbs and descriptive phrases to avoid repeating words like 'produces' or 'used.' For example, instead of 'produces electricity,' you could use 'generates electricity' or 'facilitates the generation of power.' The current range is adequate for the task but lacks the sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is clear, there are some grammatical slips, such as 'run turbine' (missing an article) and 'This electricity then directly provided' (missing the auxiliary verb 'is'). Additionally, the sentence 'the generator powered by that turbine produces electricity' is a bit clunky. Increasing the frequency of error-free complex sentences and ensuring consistent subject-verb agreement will help improve your score. Punctuation is generally handled well, but watch for minor errors in article usage.

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

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