Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-27

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 6.5)

The diagram illustrates the process to produce electricity by using geothermal energy.

Overall, the process involves cold water being heated deep underground and converted into steam, which then powers a turbine and generator to produce electricity, in a total of five main stages.

In the first stage of producing electricity, Cold water is pumped down into the injection well, reaching a depth of 4.5 km below the surface. As it travels through the geothermal zone (hot rocks), the cold water is heated. This hot water is then pumped back up through the production well.

Once it went up, the hot water is now converted into steam, which passes through a condenser before reaching the turbine. The steam powers the turbine, causing it to rotate. This turbine, in turn, powers the generator which converts into electricity. Finally, the electricity generated is transmitted away from the power plant via pylon and power line.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by providing a clear overview and detailing the main stages of the geothermal power generation process. Key features, such as the 4.5 km depth of the injection well, the heating of cold water in the geothermal zone, and the roles of the condenser, turbine, and generator, are accurately reported. The overview effectively summarises the entire five-stage process. The response covers the prompt well without significant omissions or inaccuracies, earning a solid Band 7.0 for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response exhibits clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information is grouped logically into paragraphs, starting with an introduction and overview, followed by the initial injection and heating phase, and concluding with power generation and transmission. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'In the first stage', 'As it travels', and 'Finally' are used effectively to guide the reader through the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate distinct phases of the diagram, resulting in a cohesive and easy-to-follow text that meets the criteria for Band 7.5.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response, incorporating process-specific terms such as 'geothermal energy', 'injection well', 'geothermal zone', 'condenser', and 'transmission'. While the vocabulary is largely accurate, there is a minor grammatical collocation error in the fourth paragraph ('which converts into electricity' instead of 'which generates electricity' or 'which is converted into electricity'). Despite this occasional lapse, the lexical resource is adequate to convey precise scientific concepts, justifying a Band 7.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response displays a good mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including participial phrases ('reaching a depth of 4.5 km') and relative clauses ('which then powers a turbine'). However, there is a tense shift error in the final paragraph ('Once it went up, the hot water is now converted...'), where the past tense 'went up' contrasts awkwardly with the present tense 'is now converted'. Despite this and a capitalized 'Cold' mid-sentence, the majority of sentences are grammatically sound and communication is never impeded. This performance aligns well with Band 6.5.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.