Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-02
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 gives information about the the process of electricity production through geothermal power plant.
overall, the complete procedure of electricity production from the cold water to the generator where electricity is generated and transferred to the homes through Electricity poles.
It is quite evident from the given diagram that there are two processes, one is above the surface of the earth and the other is above the the earth. Cold water is pumped down in the injection well and then into Geothermal zone. After that the production well pumped the hot water above into condenser. Cold water is changed into hot water due to hot rocks in geothermal zone.
Furthermore, hot water becomes steam into condenser and run the turbine. This turbine is connected with generator which is used to produce electricity. This generated power is transferred to homes to run appliances via electricity poles.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified the main stages of the geothermal process, the description is somewhat superficial. You mention the injection well and the condenser, but the explanation of the cycle lacks sufficient detail to fully explain the process. Furthermore, the overview is slightly confusing, as you state there are two processes, one above and one below the surface, but the description does not clearly distinguish or label these stages effectively. To improve, ensure you provide a more comprehensive summary of the key features and ensure the response meets the minimum length requirement.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into short paragraphs, which helps with readability. However, the logical flow is somewhat mechanical. The use of cohesive devices like 'Furthermore' and 'After that' is basic and repetitive. The overview paragraph is also poorly integrated; it lacks a clear connection to the rest of the text. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus. The referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the progression of the geothermal cycle smoothly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range expected at higher levels. You rely on simple terms like 'changed into' and 'run the turbine'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'production well pumped the hot water above'. To improve, you should incorporate more specific technical vocabulary related to energy production, such as 'geothermal reservoir', 'thermal energy', or 'pressurized steam'. Additionally, avoid repetitive phrasing and focus on using more sophisticated synonyms to describe the movement and transformation of the water and steam throughout the system.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains several grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. For instance, there are issues with articles ('the the process', 'the the earth') and verb tense consistency ('production well pumped' instead of 'pumps'). The sentence structures are relatively simple, and there is a lack of complex grammatical forms. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles. Try to incorporate a wider range of complex sentence structures, such as passive voice constructions, which are particularly appropriate for describing scientific processes, to demonstrate better control over your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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