Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-18
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 5.0)
The process diagram illustrates that how geothermal energy is used to make electricity. It is a human based process which contain almost 5 stages.
Overall, the process consists of several distinct stages. The process start with underground work which state that how cold water converted into hot water through hot rocks. The ending stage is that how hot water transformed into electricity.
In first stage, cold water pumped down in the injection well with 4.5km depth.Then water go through the geothermal zone with hot rocks. When water go through hot rocks it become more hot.
Then in the upper-ground stage, water go to back surface via the production well.Then water pumped up into condenser which steam the water. Steamed water pumped into Turbine which is connected with electric generator.
At last, the generator convert the steamed water into electricity. Subsequently, the electricity distributed by big pillers in the villages and residential areas.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The candidate attempts to summarise the main features of the geothermal energy production diagram, identifying the underground and above-ground stages. However, there are notable inaccuracies and omissions in reporting the process. For instance, the text states that the condenser 'steam[s] the water', whereas the visual clearly shows hot water entering the condenser and releasing steam, which subsequently drives the turbine. Additionally, the description misses key mechanical links such as the production well leading into the condenser. The overview is rather simplistic, mentioning that it consists of several distinct stages without properly outlining the core mechanism of the cyclic water flow. Consequently, the response addresses the task only partially, earning a Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organised into multiple paragraphs, attempting to separate the introduction, overview, and individual stages of the process. However, the logical progression is frequently hindered by repetitive transitional markers such as 'Then' and 'At last'. Paragraphing is under-developed, with the body sentences clumped together rather than clearly demarcating the distinct physical stages shown in the diagram. Referencing is sometimes unclear, such as the pronoun use and mechanical transitions between steps. Cohesive devices are used mechanically rather than flexibly. These issues place the response firmly in the Band 5.0 category for Coherence and Cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, relying heavily on simple terms from the prompt such as 'water', 'process', 'hot rocks', and 'electricity'. There are notable word-choice and collocation errors, such as 'human based process', 'upper-ground stage', and 'big pillers'. Attempts at less common vocabulary are either inaccurate or awkward. Spelling is generally acceptable for common words, but the overall lexical range is limited and minimally adequate for the task, resulting in a Band 5.0 score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The grammar features a mix of simple and attempting complex structures, but these are frequently marred by basic errors. There are numerous missing articles (e.g., 'in injection well', 'into Turbine'), subject-verb agreement errors (e.g., 'process start', 'water go'), and awkward phrasing resulting from incorrect clause structures ('The process diagram illustrates that how geothermal energy is used'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after periods. While the meaning is generally discernible despite these frequent errors, the control of grammar remains limited, corresponding to a Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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