Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The map illustrate the procedure of production of electricity in the way of geothermal energy.

Overall, there is cold water which is pumped down into geothermal zone, then passed by hot water into the condenser from that in the form of steam the electricity goes to generator and than to power plant.

Initially, the geothermal power plant which is used to produce electricity in long manner. There is different stages from which the power plant is able to produce electricity. In the beginning, the cold water is pushed down to the injection well and the cold water covered the distance of 4.5 km .From injection well , water goes to geothermal zone which is also called as hot rocks. Then that water is hot passed by production well into the condenser from which steam is given to turbine and that turbine give electricity to generto

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While the main features of the geothermal process are identified, the description is incomplete and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the cycle. The summary is somewhat mechanical and misses the opportunity to clearly compare the stages of the process. Because the response is under-length and the explanation of the diagram is underdeveloped, it does not fully address all parts of the task. To improve, ensure you describe the entire process from start to finish with sufficient detail to meet the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay has a basic structure, but the progression of ideas is disjointed. While there is an attempt at an overview, the transition between the introduction and the body paragraph is abrupt. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'Initially' and 'Then', but they are often repetitive or used in a way that makes the flow feel mechanical. Paragraphing is insufficient; the response would benefit from a clearer separation between the introduction/overview and the detailed process description. Referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of the geothermal energy production process.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'water', 'electricity', and 'produce'. There are several instances of inaccurate word choice, such as 'in long manner' and 'covered the distance of', which do not fit the context of a technical process description. Spelling errors, such as 'generto' (generator), also detract from the quality of the writing. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise, topic-specific vocabulary related to energy production, such as 'harnessing', 'thermal energy', 'extraction', and 'conversion'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'The map illustrate', and incorrect article usage throughout. Sentence structures are generally simple, and attempts at more complex sentences often result in errors, such as 'from that in the form of steam the electricity goes to generator'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing commas and periods. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and ensuring that verbs agree with their subjects, while also practicing the use of complex structures to describe processes.

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

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