Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-15

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 illustrates how geothermal energy is converted into electricity.

Overall, this is a linear process, consisting of five steps. The process begins with the pumping down cold water and ends with the production of electricity.

Initially, the cold water is pumped down through 4.5 km long injection well. The cold water is through the injection well reached at the geothermal zone, where hot rocks heated up the cold water. Subsequently, the hot water is pumped up through the production well.

At the next step, a condenser converted the hot water into steam. At the following step, the turbine works and rotates beacuse of the steams and followed by the generator, which is powered by the turbine and produces electricity. At the final stage, the generator provides electricity to the large poles.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student has successfully described the main stages of the geothermal power plant process, starting from pumping cold water underground to generating electricity. Key features such as the 4.5 km depth, the geothermal zone, the condenser, turbine, and generator are correctly identified and reported in sequence. The overview clearly states that it is a linear process with five steps. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 132 words. Consequently, the task achievement score is limited due to the length penalty, preventing a higher band rating despite the accurate reporting of the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is generally coherent and follows a logical chronological progression that mirrors the steps in the diagram. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the overall statement, and the body stages. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Subsequently', 'At the next step', and 'At the final stage' are employed to guide the reader through the sequence. However, some transitions feel a bit repetitive or mechanical, and referencing could be smoother. Overall arrangement is clear and easy to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating process-specific terms such as 'geothermal energy', 'injection well', 'production well', 'condenser', 'turbine', and 'generator'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there are noticeable word choice and collocation inaccuracies, such as 'pumping down cold water' instead of 'pumping down cold water' or 'cold water is through the injection well reached at the geothermal zone'. Despite these minor errors, communication is not impeded.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response includes a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, though attempts at complex structures frequently contain grammatical errors. For instance, 'the cold water is through the injection well reached at the geothermal zone' is ungrammatical and awkward. Other errors include passive voice misuse ('hot rocks heated up the cold water' instead of 'heat up' or 'heated by') and spelling mistakes like 'beacuse'. While the majority of simple sentences are clear, structural inaccuracies prevent the writer from achieving a higher band score.

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

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