Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-05

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 the process of geothermal power plant to produce electricity.

Overall,process consist of 5 stages. It begins with pumping cold water in downward direction and ends with moving steam in the turbine to run the genrator. The process is cyclic.

Initially,the cold water in the tank is pumped in downward direction through a narrow tube of 4.5km long. Then,the injection well push cold water to geothermal zone of hot rocks where tempreture is extremely hot. Resultantly,the steam is produced from extremly hot water. The production well pushed the steam in upward direction.

Following this, steam is reach into the condenser which is connected to the turbine by a narrow tube. Afterthat, the steam is pushed and move in a circular direction in the turbine. At the end, the turbine run the genrator, which produce electricity. Finally, the electricity is supplied to the tower.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

Note that the length requirement of 150 words is not met, as the response contains only 145 words. The response addresses the task partially by identifying the main stages of the geothermal power plant. An overview is provided, stating that there are five stages and that the process is cyclic. However, some key features and details from the diagram are missing or under-developed, such as the specific role of the condenser and the return path of water. The reporting of data lacks precision in places, leading to a performance that only partially covers the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

There is a coherent overall arrangement with a clear attempt to structure the response into an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs. Paragraphing is used to separate the stages of the process. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical and repetitive, using simple transitional markers like 'Initially', 'Then', and 'Afterthat'. Referencing and logical progression between sentences occasionally falter, such as the abrupt transition regarding the condenser and the turbine, resulting in a somewhat disjointed flow of information.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, providing a minimally sufficient range to describe the process. The student attempts less common vocabulary such as 'geothermal zone', 'injection well', and 'generator', but this is accompanied by noticeable errors in word choice, form, and spelling, such as 'tempreture', 'genrator', and 'extremly'. These inaccuracies, along with repetitive phrasing like 'pushed in downward direction', indicate limited lexical control that can occasionally cause minor difficulty for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response demonstrates a limited range of structures, relying mostly on simple sentences alongside some basic attempts at complex forms, which are frequently faulty. There are frequent errors in grammar, articles, prepositions, and verb forms, such as 'process consist of', 'cold water in the tank is pumped in downward direction', 'steam is reach into', and missing articles before nouns like 'condenser' and 'turbine'. While communication is generally maintained, these frequent errors impact the overall accuracy of the writing.

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

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