Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)

The following diagram presents a geothermal power plant and how the electricity produces by these steps . first we can see how cold water pumped down in the injection well with the help of geothermal zone hot rocks converts the cold water in hot water through the production well , which is pumped up in form of hot water condenser produce in steam through the turbines start generator which produces the electricity . as we can the picture displays the difference how cold water tranforms into hot water and steams produce can be converted into electricity generator with help of turbines .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, coming in at only 102 words, which severely limits its ability to fully cover all parts of the task. While the student attempts to outline the process shown in the diagram, the information is presented in a very minimal and fragmented way. Key features, such as the 4.5 km depth of the injection well and the cyclic nature of the water flow, are either omitted or described vaguely. The overview is weak and lacks a clear summary of the main stages, resulting in a response that addresses the task only minimally. To improve, the writer must ensure the word count exceeds the minimum and provide a well-developed, comprehensive summary of every stage in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response lacks clear overall progression and is structured as a single, dense block of text with no paragraph breaks. Cohesive devices are either inadequate, repetitive, or mechanical, as seen in the awkward reliance on phrases like 'first we can see' and 'as we can the picture displays'. Referencing is frequently unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the logical sequence of the geothermal process. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to organise the response into logical paragraphs (such as an introduction, a body covering the underground phase, and a body covering the surface power generation phase) and use a wider, more natural variety of transitional markers to guide the reader smoothly through the information.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is limited and repetitive, featuring basic terms like 'cold water', 'hot water', and 'electricity'. There are notable word choice and word form errors throughout the text, such as 'electricity produces', 'tranforms', and 'steams produce can be converted', which occasionally strain the reader's understanding. While the student attempts to use some less common vocabulary related to the prompt, such as 'injection well', 'geothermal zone', and 'turbines', inaccuracies in collocation and morphology prevent precise communication. To improve, the student should expand their range of vocabulary to describe processes, focusing on correct word forms (e.g., 'steam' instead of 'steams') and employing more precise verbs and synonyms rather than repeating the same terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The grammatical range is very limited, consisting predominantly of heavily flawed, run-on complex sentences that fail to demonstrate accurate control. There are frequent errors in basic sentence structure, verb forms, and voice, such as missing auxiliary verbs ('cold water pumped down' instead of 'cold water is pumped down'), incorrect active/passive usage, and absent relative pronouns. Punctuation and capitalization are also poorly handled, with sentences starting with lowercase letters and lacking proper terminal punctuation. To move to a higher band, the writer must work on constructing clear, grammatically sound simple and complex sentences, ensuring proper subject-verb agreement, correct use of the passive voice for describing mechanical processes, and accurate punctuation.

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

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