Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-26
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 diagram depicts the usage of geothermal energy to generate electricity.
Overall the diagram illustrates how geothermal energy is harnessed to generate electricity. Overall, the process relies on geothermal zones to convert cold water into hot water. This cycle is driven by two main stages: injecting water underground and extracting it for power production.
Geothermal energy plays a vital role in production of electricity. Moreover, generator is the key component to produce electricity from the steam. It comprises a turbine that could power it. Conversely, tower is the layout where the electricity distributed all over the area.
On the other hand, there is a 4.5km straight portion where the cold water pumped down into injection well. As compared to the production well where hot water is pumped. Subsequently the setup where a boiling water transformed into steam inside the condenser . Furthermore, turbine is a core mechanism where a pressurized steam is converted into electric energy via generator.
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 response attempts to describe the main features of the geothermal energy process diagram, providing an overview and mentioning key stages such as cold water injection, the geothermal zone, and electricity generation. However, the description is somewhat disjointed and misses several specific steps shown in the diagram, such as the condenser and the specific role of the production well bringing up hot water. Furthermore, there is unnecessary repetition in the overview section, writing 'Overall the diagram illustrates...' twice in consecutive sentences. While the main topic is identified, the response only partially covers all aspects of the visual data, leading to an under-developed summary that lacks precise reporting of the sequence of stages.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response attempts to organise information into paragraphs, but the logical flow and progression are weak. There is a heavy reliance on repetitive introductory phrasing ('Overall the diagram...'). Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as 'Conversely, tower is the layout...' and 'On the other hand, there is a 4.5km straight portion...', which do not logically connect the ideas presented. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of ideas is erratic, separating related concepts across different sections. Overall, the arrangement lacks a clear, cohesive structure throughout the report.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally basic and sometimes imprecise or inappropriate for an academic report. Examples include referring to the transmission pylon as 'tower' and describing the process with unnatural phrasing like 'a boiling water transformed into steam'. There are also lexical omissions and awkward collocations, such as 'production of electricity' missing an article and 'cold water pumped down into injection well' lacking a determiner. While the writer attempts some less common terms like 'geothermal zone', the overall range is limited, and word-choice errors detract from the clarity of the description.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response contains a limited range of grammatical structures with frequent errors. There are notable issues with passive voice and missing verbs, such as 'where the cold water pumped down' (missing auxiliary or main verb) and 'where a boiling water transformed into steam' (incorrect active/passive mixture and unnecessary article). Sentence structures tend to be repetitive or incomplete, with several fragments introduced by 'where' or 'setup'. Punctuation and article usage are also inconsistent throughout the text, which occasionally causes difficulty for the reader.
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