Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · 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 5.5)

Details pertaining to the process of geothermal enery generation to produce electricity are delineated by the provided processed diagram.

Overall, it can be clearly seen that the process of generation of geothermal energy contains four stages from pumping cold water to transfering electricity to the geothermal power plant.

Scrutinizing deeper into the obtainable processed diagram , it can be observe that the process of generating geothermal energy was started ffrom the first stage in which cold water pumped into the depth of the land about 4.5 km and the injection well carried out water to the geothermal zone , which is made up of hot rocks. In the next step, the production well pumped hot water outside the land.

Digging deeper into the following diagram hot water condense through condenser, which is the main part of the overall process. After condensing the water, it transformed into steam and then the steam is transfer in to the terbine. In the turbine steam is rotating and then the friction of rotation converted into the electricity. In the last stage, energy produced by turbine and power of generator transported into the tower, which shares the whole power to homes and other building.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The response addresses the main purpose of the diagram by outlining the stages of geothermal energy generation, but the coverage is only partial. While some key features are mentioned, such as pumping cold water down to a depth of 4.5 km, the hot rocks, and the turbine generating electricity, the overview is limited and slightly inaccurate, stating there are four stages when the process actually flows through five distinct steps. Furthermore, some details are underdeveloped or described vaguely, such as missing the specific role of the condenser and production well in transitioning the fluid to steam before it reaches the turbine. To move to a higher band, the writer needs to provide a clearer, more accurate overview of the entire process and ensure all key stages are fully reported without omitting or misrepresenting vital links in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The text has some organisation and attempts to guide the reader through the process using transitional phrases like 'Overall', 'In the next step', and 'In the last stage'. However, there is no clear overall progression due to repetitive phrasing and awkward transitions, such as 'Scrutinizing deeper into the obtainable processed diagram' and 'Digging deeper into the following diagram'. Paragraphing is used to separate the introduction, overview, and body steps, but referencing and logical flow between sentences are occasionally faulty. For instance, the transition from the condenser directly to steam lacks a smooth cohesive link explaining the pressure drop and phase change. To achieve a higher band, the writer should use a wider variety of more natural cohesive devices and ensure that the progression of steps follows a strictly logical, seamless sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is minimally adequate to convey the basic steps of the process, but the range is limited and constrained by noticeable errors in word choice and spelling. Examples include typos like 'enery' instead of 'energy' and 'terbine' instead of 'turbine', as well as unnatural collocations such as 'obtainable processed diagram' instead of 'provided diagram'. The writer attempts less common vocabulary like 'delineated', 'scrutinizing', and 'friction of rotation', but these attempts often result in inaccuracy or slight awkwardness. To improve, the writer must focus on correct spelling, standard academic collocations for describing diagrams, and precise vocabulary choices that accurately reflect technical processes without relying on repetitive phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response exhibits a limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple sentences alongside a few faulty attempts at complex ones. There are frequent errors in verb forms, tense consistency, prepositions, and articles that can cause some difficulty for the reader. For example, the writer writes 'cold water pumped into the depth' (missing auxiliary verb) and 'steam is transfer in to the terbine' (incorrect preposition and verb form). Additionally, passive structures necessary for describing mechanical processes are mishandled, such as 'the production well pumped hot water outside the land'. To reach a higher band, the writer needs to produce a greater variety of error-free complex structures, maintain better control over passive voice constructions, and eliminate basic errors in prepositions and verb agreement.

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

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