Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-20
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 4.5)
The diagram illustrates the process of producing electricity by the method of geothermal power.
First of all, the process starts by pumping the cold water deeply to the injection well. After that , it boils through passing during the geothermal zone, which used hot tocks in this stage.
The hot water will pump up going through the production well, to condense and form steam. In return , the turbine will move due to the steam which comes up. The last stage of generating electricity which powered by turbine.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.5 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response is severely under-length, containing only 88 words against the required 150 words. While the candidate attempts to outline the stages of the geothermal power plant, such as pumping cold water down the injection well and passing through the geothermal zone, the explanation is extremely abbreviated. Key details, such as the 4.5 km depth, the specific role of the condenser and turbine, and the production of electricity, are either missed or inadequately developed. Because the length requirement is not met and the overall information is incomplete, this criterion cannot exceed Band 4.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text is divided into three very short paragraphs, which fails to provide a well-structured overview or body paragraphs for a process diagram. Cohesive devices are minimal and basic, featuring phrases like 'First of all' and 'After that'. Progression is somewhat disjointed due to the lack of development between steps. Referencing is also weak, with awkward transitions between sentences, such as 'In return , the turbine will move'. Overall organisation is basic and lacks sophisticated cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with limited control over lexical items and collocations. Examples of inaccurate word choice and awkward phrasing include 'boils through passing during the geothermal zone', 'used hot tocks', and 'the last stage of generating electricity which powered by turbine'. There are also minor spelling and typographical errors, such as 'tocks' instead of 'rocks'. The range is minimally adequate to convey a basic outline of the process, but lexical resource is restricted.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5
The writing demonstrates a very limited range of grammatical structures. Most sentences are simple or attempt complex structures that are faulty, such as 'The last stage of generating electricity which powered by turbine', which lacks a main verb. There are frequent errors in prepositions and voice, such as 'by the method of' instead of 'using', and 'pumping the cold water deeply to the injection well'. Punctuation errors also occur, such as spacing before commas. These errors occasionally hinder the clarity of the text.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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