Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-11
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 picture informs about the geothermal energy is used to produce electricity. According to this picture the cold water is pumped down to the to the injection well which is about 4.5 kilometers down from the water surface. This cold water is passed through the geothermal zone or hot rocks that turn the cold water in to hot and pumped to the upward to original water surface. Here there is a condenser which turn the hot water in to steam which is used to run the turbine which is installed in the front of a condenser. This turbine powered by steam and run the generator and it produce electricity. This electricity further transported to the electric towers to supply it to our homes.
This picture is basically a geothermal power plant to produce electricity. It is the most common process of producing electricity in all over the world. Because this process is cheaper then other processes.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the geothermal process, from the injection well to the production of electricity. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview or summary of the process as a whole. The final paragraph introduces external information about the cost and popularity of geothermal energy, which is not present in the diagram and is therefore irrelevant to an Academic Task 1 response. To improve, focus strictly on the provided visual data and include a clear introductory sentence that synthesizes the main purpose of the diagram without adding personal opinions or external knowledge.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into two paragraphs, but the logical flow is somewhat disjointed. While the sequence of the process is followed, the use of cohesive devices is limited and repetitive (e.g., 'This picture', 'This cold water', 'This turbine'). The transition between the description of the process and the final paragraph is abrupt. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and phrases to connect the stages of the process more fluidly, such as 'subsequently', 'following this', or 'once the steam is generated'.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks precision and variety. There is significant repetition of basic terms like 'water', 'picture', and 'produce'. Some phrasing is unnatural, such as 'informs about the geothermal energy is used' and 'upward to original water surface'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to the diagram, such as 'geothermal reservoir', 'extraction', 'pressurized', or 'converts'. Avoid using 'picture' to refer to the diagram; use 'diagram', 'process', or 'illustration' instead.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that affect the flow, such as 'turn the cold water in to hot' (should be 'into'), 'pumped to the upward' (should be 'pumped upward'), and 'cheaper then' (should be 'cheaper than'). The use of articles is also inconsistent. To improve, practice using more complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses or passive voice constructions, which are essential for describing technical processes. Ensure subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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