Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-12

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 6.0)

The diagram provided illustrates a comprehensive representation of how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity.

Overall, the diagram depicts main stages involved in this process. Also, it is clear from the diagram that there are five noteworthy observations to be made, starting with storaging cold water and ending with producing electricity.

To begin with, cold water is pumped down in a 4.5km long injection well. Then, water goes through the geothermal zone with hot rocks to reach the production well, where water is heated. In the next step, hot water is pumped up into the condenser, where water is converted into stream.

Following that, the turbine is driven powered by steam. Moving to the next stage, the generator produces electricity powered by the turbine. Finally, electricity is transmitted via power lines to complete the electricity producing process using geothermal energy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student covers the main stages of the geothermal energy process, from the injection of cold water to the generation and transmission of electricity. Key features such as the 4.5km depth and the cycle involving hot rocks, a condenser, a turbine, and a generator are reported accurately. An overview is present, highlighting the five main stages. However, a significant drawback is that the word count is 141 words, which fails to meet the minimum requirement of 150 words. This under-length impacts the overall development and results in a penalty to the task achievement score, bringing it down to a band 5.5 despite the clear reporting of visual information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is structured into logical paragraphs with an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that follow the chronological sequence of the diagram. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Then', 'In the next step', 'Following that', 'Moving to the next stage', and 'Finally' are used to guide the reader through the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different steps of the cycle. Although some cohesive markers are a bit formulaic, the logical progression is clear throughout. This performance satisfies the criteria for a band 6.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a technical process, incorporating terms like 'geothermal energy', 'injection well', 'production well', 'condenser', 'turbine', and 'generator'. There are, however, some lexical inaccuracies and awkward collocations, such as 'storaging cold water' instead of 'storing cold water', and 'converted into stream' instead of 'steam'. There is also a slight spelling/word-choice slip. Despite these errors, meaning is communicated successfully, aligning with the descriptors for band 6.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writing contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and passive constructions like 'water is heated' and 'electricity is transmitted'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward phrasings, such as 'the diagram depicts main stages' missing an article, 'the turbine is driven powered by steam' where 'driven powered' is redundant and clumsy, and 'electricity producing process' instead of 'electricity-producing process'. Nevertheless, these errors rarely impede overall communication, placing the grammatical performance firmly at band 6.0.

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

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