Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-03

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 picture illustrates about how geothermal energy is utilized to produce electricity.

There are five stages of geothermal power plant in which electricity is generated. Starting with step one, where cold water is pumped down with 4.5 km. In Second step, the cold water that is pumped down passes through the injection well to the production well, between these well there is a geothermal zone i.e.hot rocks. After Passing though the production well it is than pumped out to the condenser in form of steam. Steam is then sent to turbine which rotates in turbine and then sent to the generator that produces electricity, the Generators supply that electricity to the electricity towers.

So, this is how a geothermal power plant generates electricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, reaching only 123 words. This significantly impacts the ability to fully develop the description of the process. While the main stages are identified, the lack of length prevents a comprehensive overview and detailed comparison of the features shown in the diagram. The summary is overly simplistic and lacks the analytical depth required for an Academic Task 1 response. To improve, you must expand on the details of each stage and ensure the response meets the length requirement to allow for a full explanation of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organized into a single paragraph, which is not ideal for a report. While there is a basic logical progression from step one to the final stage, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'Starting with step one', 'In Second step', 'After Passing though'). The lack of clear paragraphing and the limited use of linking words make the text feel like a list rather than a cohesive summary. Improving the flow by using a wider variety of transition signals and separating the introduction from the body paragraphs would enhance the overall structure.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is functional but limited. You rely on basic terms such as 'cold water', 'hot rocks', and 'electricity'. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'illustrates about' (illustrates is transitive) and 'between these well' (should be 'wells'). The range of vocabulary is insufficient to demonstrate the flexibility required for higher bands. To improve, try to incorporate more precise technical terminology related to geothermal energy, such as 'geothermal reservoir', 'thermal energy', or 'pressurized steam', and ensure correct word forms are used.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text. Examples include 'The picture illustrates about' (incorrect preposition), 'pumped down with 4.5 km' (incorrect preposition), 'between these well' (pluralization error), and 'it is than pumped' (spelling error: 'then'). The sentence structures are relatively simple, and there is a lack of complex sentence forms. To achieve a higher score, you need to focus on subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and incorporating a wider variety of complex grammatical structures while reducing the frequency of basic errors.

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

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