Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-14

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 given picture illustrates the process by which electricity is generated using geothermal energy.

Overall, it is crystal clear that generating electricity is a tedious process, the process contains five steps from collecting cold water to producing electricity.

To start with the first step is to collect the cold water in a container which is then pumped down by a 4.5 km long injection well in the second step. Moreover, in the third step it reaches to the production well where it was pumped up, passing through the geothermal zone which is embedded by the hot rocks. When the water reaches to the third step it becomes hot as by passing through the hot rocks.

Furthermore, in the forth step the hot water reaches to the condenser, which is placed above at the ground where the steam is formed out of the hot water. In the fifth step there is a turbine and a generator which are attached to one another, the turbine is usually powered by the steam from the water and the generator is powered by the turbine and produces electricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all parts of the diagram well, successfully summarizing the main stages of how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity. The writer identifies key steps such as collecting cold water, pumping it down an injection well, passing it through hot rocks in the geothermal zone, and forming steam in a condenser to drive a turbine and generator. The overview accurately highlights that there are five distinct steps in the process. However, some minor details could be further clarified or integrated, placing this submission comfortably at Band 6.5 to 7.0 for Task Achievement. The features are selected and reported appropriately with relevant comparisons or transitions throughout the text.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay displays a clear overall arrangement and logical progression, moving step-by-step through the diagram's process from start to finish. The writer uses basic sequencing and transitional devices such as 'To start with', 'Moreover', 'Furthermore', and referencing terms to guide the reader. However, cohesion sometimes feels a bit mechanical or repetitive, particularly with the excessive reliance on phrases like 'in the first step', 'in the second step', and 'in the third step'. Paragraphing is utilized, though dividing the text into more balanced paragraphs would enhance readability. Overall, the logical organization is clear, but the mechanical nature of the cohesive devices keeps this at Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms such as 'geothermal energy', 'injection well', 'production well', 'condenser', 'turbine', and 'generator'. However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and there are awkward word choices and phrasing, such as 'The given picture illustrates' (better: 'The given diagram illustrates') and describing the process as 'tedious', which is inappropriate in tone for an academic report as it implies boredom rather than complexity. Despite these minor lexical inaccuracies and slightly informal tone in places, communication is never impeded, fitting the Band 6.0 descriptor well.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, incorporating relative clauses such as 'which is then pumped down by a 4.5 km long injection well' and 'which is placed above at the ground'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward structures throughout the text, including tense inconsistencies ('where it was pumped up' instead of 'where it is pumped up'), preposition errors ('reaches to the production well' instead of 'reaches the production well'), and punctuation issues like comma splices ('attached to one another, the turbine is usually powered'). While these errors do not impede overall communication, their frequency prevents the essay from reaching Band 7.0.

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

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