Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-04
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 describes geothermal energy using procedure to produce electricity which are in five mejor parts including cold water, the injection well, the production well, condenser & genetor turbine.
When fridged water pumped down in 4.5 km where the injection well placed, it passes to the geothermal zone and reaches to the production well. During this time the water is being hot, and it pumped up to the condenser. While the hot water pumped up and arrives to the condenser, it converts to steam. After being steam, it flows to turbine and try to move the turbine by it's steam. While turbine starts movement, generator produces electricity.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The response covers the main stages of the geothermal energy process, identifying key components such as the injection well, geothermal zone, production well, condenser, and turbine. However, the length requirement is not met, as the response falls significantly short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 107 words. Consequently, the ideas remain limited and under-developed. While an overall description is attempted, important details and precise relationships between the stages are glossed over. To reach a higher level, the writer must extend the response beyond the minimum word count, ensure all visual data is fully reported, and develop the explanation of each mechanical stage more thoroughly rather than relying on brief, summary statements.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The text demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement by following the chronological sequence of the process from the initial cold water stage through to electricity generation. The writer uses basic cohesive devices such as 'When', 'During this time', 'While', and 'After being' to link the steps together. However, paragraphing is inadequate as the entire text is condensed into just two blocks, and some referencing is mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent reuse of 'the water is being hot' and 'pumps up'. For a higher band score, the writer needs to organise the information into distinct paragraphs reflecting the stages of the process and employ a wider, more natural variety of transitional markers to ensure a smoother flow of ideas.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is limited but minimally adequate to convey the basic process, incorporating technical terms directly from the diagram such as 'geothermal energy', 'injection well', 'production well', 'condenser', and 'generator'. There are noticeable lexical errors, incorrect word forms, and spelling mistakes throughout the text, such as 'mejor', 'fridged', 'genetor', and 'being hot' instead of 'heated'. These errors sometimes cause difficulty for the reader and reflect a restricted lexical range. To improve, the writer should practice using precise word forms, correct spelling, and more varied terminology to describe scientific processes without relying solely on direct copying from the prompt.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response shows a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying mostly on simple sentences alongside a few faulty attempts at complex forms. Frequent errors are present, including missing articles ('to turbine', 'starts movement'), incorrect prepositions ('in 4.5 km'), awkward passive constructions ('fridged water pumped down', 'it pumped up'), and tense or agreement issues ('where the injection well placed', 'by it's steam'). These frequent errors can cause difficulty for the reader. To achieve a higher band, the writer needs to demonstrate better control over basic sentence patterns, ensure correct subject-verb agreement and article use, and accurately form passive voice constructions when describing technical processes.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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