Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-17
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 5.5)
The provided diagram demonstrates the electricity production with the usage of geothermal energy.
Overall, the production of electricity in geothermal power plant takes place in five major steps. The cold water running through the hot rocks eventually enters the condenser and the steam passes frpm tyhe turbine and genrator.
First of all low temperature water from the reservior is pumped down into the ground by 4.5 km through a vertical pipes. The pipes leads the water to the injection well whose main function is to inject the coming product into the geothermal zone. Gradually water moves and passes through the hot rocks in this zone becuase this inner layer of the earth has high temperature and helps in increasing the water temperature. At the third step, beneath the surface of earth the production well is installed to pump the hot water through the pipes that eventually reaches the condenser. Furthermore the steam released from the hot water is passed to the turbine that is powered by steam.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response successfully addresses the main features of the diagram, detailing the five major steps involved in generating electricity using geothermal energy. The overview provided in the second sentence outlines the main stages adequately. The student correctly identifies the 4.5 km depth and tracks the flow of water from the injection well through the hot rocks to the production well, condenser, and turbine. However, the explanation cuts off abruptly before fully describing the final stage involving the generator, leading to an incomplete summary of the final process shown in the diagram. Despite this minor omission, the key mechanical steps are well captured and reported.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a logical progression of ideas that follows the chronological sequence of the process diagram. The introduction clearly sets out the topic and provides an overview. Cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'Gradually', and 'Furthermore' are used to guide the reader through the stages of the process. Paragraphing could be improved, as the entire body of the response is contained within a single large paragraph alongside the introduction, rather than being broken down into distinct logical units for easier reading.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary relevant to the diagram, including terms such as 'geothermal energy', 'condenser', 'injection well', and 'geothermal zone'. However, there are notable spelling and word-choice errors that detract from precision, such as 'frpm tyhe' instead of 'from the', 'reservior' instead of 'reservoir', and 'pipes' used inconsistently as singular/plural ('a vertical pipes'). While the writer attempts less common vocabulary, these mechanical spelling mistakes and slight inaccuracies prevent the response from achieving a higher band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some control over grammar. Examples such as 'The cold water running through the hot rocks eventually enters...' show successful integration of participle phrases. However, several grammatical errors are present, including subject-verb agreement issues ('The pipes leads') and spelling-induced lexical slips. Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while errors occur, they do not impede overall communication. The structure remains clear enough to follow the sequence described.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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