Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)
The diagram below shows the process of electricity production from geothermal energy.
It is a linear process with distinct five steps.Commencing with cold water from pond flowing over a large distance and finishing with turbine generating power and it is supplied by wires to the users.
The process begin with cold water from a pond where is pumped down over a distance of 4.5 kilometers,forming an injection well,it encounters the geothermal zone where it is made up of hot rocks,this heats up water to bolilng point and steam is formed.
After the creation of hot water,the production well is formed.Vapour is pushed upwards for a distance of 4.5 kilometers ,on reaching the earth surface,the steam condenses while a significant portion of it is used to drive the turbine which rotates in a clockwise direction and ignite the generator which inturn produces the electricity.Lastly,the produced power is supplied through cabbles to the consumers
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0
The student successfully identifies the main features of the geothermal energy production process, covering key stages such as cold water being pumped down the injection well, passing through the geothermal zone of hot rocks, being pushed up the production well as steam, and ultimately powering the turbine and generator to produce electricity. Numerical data such as the 4.5-kilometer depth is correctly reported. An overview is provided in the introduction and second paragraph. However, some minor inaccuracies occur in the description, such as stating that the steam condenses and then is used to drive the turbine, whereas the diagram shows the condenser following the production well and steam leading directly to the turbine. Overall, the task is adequately addressed, earning a Band 6.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is arranged logically as a linear process, following the stages of the diagram from start to finish. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the steps, such as 'Commencing with', 'The process begin with', and 'Lastly'. However, paragraphing is somewhat weak and irregular, with the main body compressed into blocky paragraphs that could be better structured for clarity. Furthermore, referencing and punctuation errors occasionally disrupt the logical flow, such as comma splices ('forming an injection well,it encounters...'). Despite these flaws, the overall progression is clear enough to follow the sequence of events, placing it at a Band 6.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student attempts a range of vocabulary relevant to the process diagram, including terms like 'injection well', 'geothermal zone', 'hot rocks', 'condenser', 'turbine', and 'generator'. However, there are notable spelling mistakes ('bolilng', 'cabbles') and awkward word choices or collocations, such as 'ignite the generator' instead of 'drive' or 'power'. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to explain the mechanical process and demonstrates some ambition with less common items, the errors in word form and spelling prevent the score from reaching the higher bands. This performance aligns well with a Band 6.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating participial phrases and relative clauses (e.g., 'Commencing with cold water from pond flowing over a large distance...'). However, grammatical accuracy is weak, marred by frequent punctuation errors, run-on sentences, and comma splices (e.g., '...forming an injection well,it encounters the geothermal zone where it is made up of hot rocks,this heats up water...'). There are also minor subject-verb agreement or preposition issues ('The process begin with', 'from a pond where is pumped down'). Because errors occur frequently and cause some distraction, the grammar score is a Band 5.5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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