Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-29
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 6.0)
The given diagram illustrates the how geothermal power plant is used to produced electricity.
Overall, it can be observed that there are 5 diffrent stages. The process start with pumping cold water underground and end with electricity produced. The key principal is heating cold water in geothermal zone of hot rocks to produced steam , which powers a turbine.
In the first stage, cold water is stored in a tank and then pumped down 4.5 km through the injection well into the geothermal zone of hot rocks. As the water passes through this zone, it gets heated. Subsequently, the resulting hot water is pumped up to the surface through a production well.
Following the process, the hot waters enters a condenser where steam is produced . The steam is then channeled to a turbine which is powered by steam. The turbine is connected to the generator, which is powered by turbine and produced electricity. Finally, this electicity is transmitted via power lines or a pylon to the grid.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 6.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5
The response successfully covers all key stages of the geothermal power plant process, from pumping cold water underground to the final generation and transmission of electricity. The writer accurately incorporates specific data from the diagram, such as the 4.5 km depth of the injection well. An overview is provided, noting the total number of stages and the general mechanism of heating water to produce steam and power a turbine. While the description is slightly concise, all essential features required by the prompt are clearly selected, reported, and compared where relevant. There is no irrelevant data or misinterpretation of the visual source, demonstrating a solid understanding of the diagram.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5
The essay is logically organized into an introduction, an overview paragraph, and two body paragraphs detailing the sequential steps of the process. Cohesive devices are used effectively to guide the reader through the stages, using transition markers such as 'In the first stage', 'Subsequently', and 'Following the process'. Paragraphing is appropriate, and referencing throughout the text remains clear. The overall progression of information follows the flow of the diagram naturally, ensuring that the relationships between the steps are easy to follow without mechanical repetition.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student demonstrates a sufficient range of vocabulary relevant to describing a technical process, employing appropriate terms such as 'injection well', 'geothermal zone', 'condenser', 'turbine', and 'transmission'. Less common lexical items are attempted with varying success. However, there are a few noticeable errors in word choice and morphology, such as 'illustrates the how' instead of 'illustrates how', 'diffrent' instead of 'different', and 'principal' instead of 'principle'. Despite these minor slips, communication is never impeded, and the vocabulary remains adequate for the task.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and passive constructions necessary for process descriptions, such as 'cold water is stored' and 'the resulting hot water is pumped up'. However, there are several grammatical and mechanical inaccuracies throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('to produced electricity' instead of 'to produce electricity', 'hot waters enters' instead of 'hot water enters', and 'this electicity' with a spelling error). While these errors occur with some frequency, the majority of sentences remain functional, and meaning is communicated clearly without serious distortion.
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.