Band 7.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 7.0 · 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 7.0)

The linear diagram below outlines the electricity production process utilizing geothermal energy.

Overall, the process consists of 5 steps. It starts with cold water being pumped down by the injection well and ends at electricity being produced. The most important step in this process is when the water passes through geothermal zone (hot rocks) and turns into steam.

Initally, cold water is pumped 4.5km down by the injection well and then this water is passed through the geothermal zone which heats the water and generates steam. Hot water is then pumped up by the production well and goes through a condenser, which condenses the steam and passes it along the generator turbine. The turbine being powered by steam starts spinning. Owing to the power of the turbine, the generator produces electricity. Finally, the electricity is transfered to the power grid and through this power grid electricity reaches the general public.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 7.0

The response covers all key features of the geothermal energy diagram, successfully summarising the main steps involved in electricity production. The overview effectively captures the 5-step nature of the process and highlights the crucial transformation point where water turns into steam. The student selects and reports the main features well, beginning with the cold water pumped down via the injection well, moving through the geothermal zone, and concluding with electricity reaching the power grid. There are no notable omissions of main features, and the progression of the process is accurately traced throughout the body paragraph. Overall, the task is well handled, fulfilling all the core requirements for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 7.0

The text demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. It opens with an appropriate introductory sentence and a concise overview paragraph that outlines the structure of the process. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the stages, such as 'Initally', 'then', 'Hot water is then', and 'Finally'. Paragraphing is logical, separating the introduction/overview from the detailed steps in the body paragraph. Referencing is generally clear, though minor improvements could be made to ensure tighter transitions between clauses, such as avoiding repetitive phrasing like 'passes it along the generator turbine'. Overall, cohesion is handled with sufficient control to meet the criteria for a Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response, successfully incorporating terms such as 'linear diagram', 'geothermal zone', 'injection well', 'condenser', and 'power grid'. There are some attempts to use less common lexical items, accompanied by occasional errors or awkward phrasing, such as the spelling error 'Initally' instead of 'initially', and phrasing like 'ends at electricity being produced'. However, the vocabulary used is adequate to convey the mechanical processes clearly, and errors do not impede communication. The range is sufficient for some precision in describing scientific and technical steps.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and participial phrases such as 'utilizing geothermal energy' and 'The turbine being powered by steam starts spinning'. There is good control over many grammatical structures, and the majority of sentences are clear and comprehensible. Minor punctuation or grammatical slips occur, such as missing articles ('passes through geothermal zone') and preposition choices ('transfered to the power grid'). However, these errors do not impede communication and the structural variety demonstrates a solid command of grammar appropriate for a Band 6.5 or 7.

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