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 illustrates how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity.
Overall, The cold water pumped down into geothermal zone consisting of hot rocks where water also become hot and pumped back into a condenser. In condenser, this hot water changed into steam which rotates turbine and powers the generator to produce electricity.
First of all, Cold water from surface pumped down through a 4.5 km long tube which has injection well at the end. This injuction well enters this cold water into geothermal zone consisting hot rocks which boils the water. The production well alow this hot water to pumped into a condenser where this hot water changed into steam.
Furthermore, steam produced from hot water power to rotate a turbine. This turbine attached to a generator which produces electricity. In the end, this electricity supplied to the end user through electric poles allowing electricity to travel long distances.
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 addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the geothermal energy production process and following the sequential flow from cold water injection to electricity generation. The overview provided in the second paragraph captures the essential stages, noting the cycle from cold water to hot water, steam, turbine rotation, and finally electricity. Key details such as the 4.5 km depth and the role of the geothermal zone, injection and production wells, condenser, turbine, and generator are appropriately integrated. While the summary is concise and covers the necessary mechanics without straying into irrelevant information, some steps could be slightly more integrated to ensure complete development. Overall, the response fulfills the requirements for Task Achievement at a competent level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is organized into logical paragraphs, starting with an introductory sentence, followed by an overview paragraph, and detailing the sequential steps in the final two bodies. Cohesive devices are used to signal progression, such as 'First of all' and 'Furthermore', though some transitions feel slightly mechanical or abrupt. Referencing is generally clear, connecting the stages of the diagram effectively, such as linking the hot water from the production well directly to the condenser. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the overall trend from specific procedural steps, contributing to an overall coherent arrangement, although smoother transitional phrasing would elevate the flow.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a technical process, incorporating key terms directly from the prompt such as 'geothermal energy', 'condenser', 'turbine', 'generator', and 'injection well'. However, there are notable lexical and spelling inaccuracies throughout the text, such as 'injuction' instead of 'injection', 'alow' instead of 'allow', and awkward phrasing like 'power to rotate a turbine'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with mixed success, and word-choice errors occasionally surface. Nevertheless, the vocabulary remains minimally adequate to communicate the core stages of the diagram clearly without heavily impeding the reader's understanding.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5
The text displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some attempt at subordinate clauses and relative structures, such as 'which has injection well at the end' and 'consisting hot rocks which boils the water'. However, grammatical accuracy is noticeably hindered by recurring errors in verb forms, articles, and prepositions, including missing subjects or auxiliary verbs (e.g., 'water also become hot', 'Cold water from surface pumped down', 'hot water to pumped'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but grammatical slips are frequent enough to detract from fluency, placing the response firmly in the mid-range for grammatical control.
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