Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-06

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 below illustrates that how geothermal energy is used to generate electricity in geothermal power plant .

Overall , the whole procees consists of five main stages begning with coldwater being pumped underground and end with a gernerator which produce electricity . The heat require for this process comes through hot rocks 4.5 km below the ground .

Initially, cold water pumped down through the injection at the depth around 4.5 kilometres. Then it passes through the geothermal zone where hot rocks heat the water. After that , hot water travels to production well from where it pumped up to condensor .

At the next stage, hot water enters in condenser where it is converted into steam . Which directed towards turbine that helps to rotate the turbine that powered the generator to produce electricity . The generated electricity subsequently transmitted through power lines for used by consumers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response addresses all parts of the task by outlining the main features of the geothermal power plant process. An overview is successfully presented, stating that the procedure involves five main stages beginning with pumping cold water underground and ending with electricity generation via a generator. Key data points such as the depth of 4.5 kilometres are also included. However, some parts of the process are slightly under-developed or less fully explained, such as the exact function of the condenser. Additionally, the response falls just short of the minimum word count requirement, containing 149 words instead of the required 150 words. To reach a higher band, the student should ensure all stages of the process are described with equal thoroughness and meet the length requirement.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The text demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a clear separation into introduction, overview, and body paragraphs. Logical sequencing is present as the student guides the reader chronologically through the process from cold water injection to electricity transmission. Cohesive devices are employed to link the stages, such as 'Overall', 'Initially', 'Then', and 'After that'. However, referencing and cohesion are occasionally mechanical or faulty, as seen in the sentence starting with 'Which directed towards turbine', which creates a broken link between clauses. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the different sections of the response. To improve further, the student needs to ensure that all cohesive devices connect clauses smoothly without creating fragments.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating process-specific terms such as 'geothermal energy', 'injection', 'geothermal zone', 'production well', 'condenser', 'turbine', and 'generator'. There are, however, several spelling and word-choice errors throughout the text, including 'procees', 'begning', 'gernerator', 'require', 'condensor', and 'used'. While these errors do not seriously impede communication, they reflect a lack of precision and control over less common lexical items. To achieve a higher band, the student should expand their control of word forms and eliminate basic spelling mistakes through careful proofreading.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writing displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some attempts at subordination and relative clauses. There are, nevertheless, frequent errors in grammar and punctuation, particularly missing auxiliary verbs, incorrect prepositions, and article errors. Examples include 'illustrates that how geothermal energy', 'cold water pumped down' missing a verb, 'at the depth around', 'hot water travels to production well', and the sentence fragment 'Which directed towards turbine'. Punctuation errors are also notable, such as unnecessary spaces before commas and full stops. These errors require some effort from the reader to interpret fully. To progress, the student must work on sentence structure completeness, subject-verb agreement, and accurate use of articles and prepositions.

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

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