Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-03

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 role of geothermal energy to produce electricity. A geothermal power plant utilizes five steps to produce electricity.

Overall, cold water undergoes certain changes in temperature to become hot via a geothermal zone. This produces steam, which provides the energy to a generator to produce electricity.

Initially, cold water is pumped down into the injection well, which is situated 4.5 km below ground level. In the second step, it is passed through a zone of hot rocks, in which it undergoes a temperature change. In the third step, Hot water is pumped up through the production well into a condenser.

The condenser is present above the ground level. In the succeeding step, the condenser generates steam that is transferred to the turbine. It helps to provide power to the turbine. In the fifth step, the generator produces electricity as it is charged up by the turbine.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response is slightly under the word count requirement, falling short of the 150-word minimum by a single word at 149 words. The student successfully identifies the main stages of the geothermal power plant process, providing a basic overview and mentioning key features such as the injection well depth of 4.5 km, the geothermal zone, and the turbine and generator. However, the response addresses the task only partially because some parts are under-developed. For instance, the description of how the condenser and steam interact with the turbine lacks detail, and the mechanical sequence could be more thoroughly explained to fully satisfy the prompt's demand for a comprehensive summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response achieves a coherent overall arrangement and shows a clear logical progression through the five-step process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and body details. Cohesive devices are employed to guide the reader through the stages, such as 'Initially', 'In the second step', and 'In the succeeding step'. However, cohesion can sometimes feel a bit mechanical or formulaic, and referencing could be smoother to fully transition into the higher band where cohesive devices are used more flexibly.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully conveying mechanical processes with terms like 'geothermal power plant', 'injection well', 'condenser', and 'generator'. The student attempts less common vocabulary such as 'undergoes' and 'transferred', though there are some slight word choice and phrasing issues, such as 'role of geothermal energy to produce electricity' instead of 'how geothermal energy is used'. Spelling and word choice errors do not impede communication, placing the response solidly at this level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses such as 'which is situated 4.5 km below ground level' and 'which undergoes a temperature change'. There are some minor grammatical errors and awkward capitalisations, such as 'Hot water is pumped up', but these errors rarely impede communication and do not obscure the meaning. To reach higher bands, the student would need to demonstrate a wider range of error-free complex structures with tighter control over articles and capitalization.

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

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