Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-09-30

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 diagram illustrates the production of electricity with the help of geothermal energy.

Overall, electricity is produced in geothermal power plant through converting the water into electricity with 5 different steps.

Initially, the stored cold water is pumped 4.5 km down, to the injection well. Secondly, the cold water passes through the injection well, and runs through the geothermal zone with hot rocks. The water heats up till reaching the production well. The hot water passes through the production well is pumped 4.5 km above and reaches the condenser.

Fourth step is converting the hot water into the steam, which is done with the help of the condenser. The fifth step is passing the steam through the turbine, which is powered when steam passes through it. Furthermore, generator produces electricity through the power provided by the turbine. The electricity which is produced by the generator is transferred to the electricity tower.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response successfully covers all main steps of the geothermal energy production process, as shown in the visual data. The student identifies the key stages from pumping cold water 4.5 km down through the injection well, passing through the hot rocks, returning via the production well, and finally utilizing a condenser, turbine, and generator to produce electricity. However, the overview is somewhat simplistic, stating only that electricity is produced 'through converting the water into electricity with 5 different steps,' which lacks precision regarding the cyclical nature or overall mechanism. Furthermore, there are minor inaccuracies in phrasing, such as 'converting the hot water into the steam' by the condenser (whereas the condenser typically prepares steam or interacts with it before the turbine). Overall, the response addresses the prompt adequately, satisfying the main requirements for a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text is structured logically into four paragraphs, following a clear progression from introduction to overview, and then detailing the steps sequentially. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader, such as 'Initially,' 'Secondly,' 'Fourth step,' and 'Furthermore.' However, some of the cohesive links feel somewhat mechanical or repetitive in structure (e.g., 'Fourth step is... The fifth step is...'). Paragraphing is used appropriately, though the overview paragraph is quite brief and could be better integrated. Referencing and progression are generally clear, though occasional awkward transitions prevent the response from achieving a higher band. This performance aligns well with the Band 6 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary suited to the task, successfully using terms like 'geothermal energy,' 'injection well,' 'production well,' 'condenser,' 'turbine,' and 'generator.' There are, however, some lexical inaccuracies and awkward collocations, such as 'pumped 4.5 km above' instead of 'up' or 'to the surface,' and 'converting the water into electricity' rather than generating electricity using thermal power. Spelling is generally accurate, but word choice lacks the precision and flexibility expected at Band 7. The vocabulary used is minimally sufficient to convey the process, earning a solid Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at relative clauses (e.g., 'the steam, which is done with the help of the condenser' and 'The electricity which is produced by the generator'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward structures, such as 'is produced in geothermal power plant' (missing article), 'passes through the injection well, and runs through' (unnecessary comma before conjunction linking predicates), and 'The hot water passes through the production well is pumped' (missing participle or relative pronoun). While these errors do not impede overall communication, their frequency places the response firmly within the Band 6 category.

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

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