Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The diagram illustrates how electricity is generated from the geothermal power plant, which consists of five steps.
Overall, it is clear that the process of generating electricity contains five steps, which starts with pumping down the cold water and ends with powering the turbine.
To begin with, pumping the cold water around 4.5 km down from the earth, then get the geothermal zone from the injection well to production well. After that, pumped up the hot water into the condenser.
Furthermore, the water steamed onto the turbine and the turbine created power to steamed the water. Finally, after powered by turbine it produces electricity which go through the tower. Then the tower spread electricity whom are used electricity.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, reaching only 118 words. This significantly impacts the development of the response. While you have identified the main steps of the process, the description is quite superficial. You have not provided enough detail regarding the specific components of the geothermal plant or the cyclical nature of the process. To improve, you must expand on the information provided in the diagram, ensuring all key stages are described with sufficient detail to meet the length requirement and provide a comprehensive summary.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay is organized into short paragraphs, which is a good start. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. You use transition words like 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', and 'Finally', but the logical flow between sentences is often disrupted by grammatical errors and unclear referencing. For instance, the transition between the injection well and the condenser is abrupt. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of cohesive devices and ensure that each sentence logically follows the previous one to create a smoother narrative flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive. You frequently use basic verbs such as 'pumping', 'steamed', and 'created'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'steamed the water' and 'whom are used electricity', which are inaccurate and hinder clarity. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to use more precise technical vocabulary related to energy production, such as 'geothermal reservoir', 'thermal energy', 'pressurized', or 'distribution grid', and ensure that words are used in their correct grammatical form.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that often impede communication. There are issues with sentence structure, such as fragments ('Then the tower spread electricity whom are used electricity') and incorrect verb forms ('the water steamed onto the turbine'). Many sentences lack proper subject-verb agreement or correct tense usage. To improve, focus on constructing complete, grammatically accurate sentences. Practice using complex structures, such as relative clauses or passive voice, which are essential for describing processes, but ensure they are used accurately to avoid confusion.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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