Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-07

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 6.0)

The plan describes the production of electricity through geothermal energy.

Overall, the cold water is converted into hot water as it flows down through the hot rocks. The boiling water produces steam in the condenser that is used to power the turbine attached to the generator to produce electricity.

Initially, the cold water is pumped accurately 4.5 km deep into the ground from one side that reaches the injection well. It is then passed through the high heat area known as the Geothermal zone where the water temperature rises before reaching the production well. The hot water which was earlier colder is now pumped upwards creating a steam in the condenser which provides power to the turbine that rotates and help in generating electricity in the generator which is then supplied to the electricity suppliers.

The most significant part is that both sides of the process are inversely proportional. One side contains cold water which is pumped downwards to the injection well while the other side contains hot water that is pumped upwards through the production well.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main stages and give a clear overall account: cold water travels underground, is heated by hot rocks, returns to the surface, and ultimately drives equipment that generates electricity. The 4.5 km depth and the contrasting downward and upward flows are also accurately reported. However, some details are unclear or imprecise. In particular, the water does not itself create steam while being pumped upwards; it reaches the condenser, where steam is produced and then powers the turbine. The final claim that electricity is supplied to “electricity suppliers” is not shown in the diagram, and the description of the two sides as “inversely proportional” is not an accurate summary of their relationship. Clarifying these points and describing the stages more precisely would strengthen the report.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to a chronological description, and the sequence from injection well to production well is generally easy to follow. Linking expressions such as “Initially,” “It is then,” and “while” help signal order and contrast. However, the final paragraph repeats the downward-versus-upward contrast already covered in the overview and body, rather than adding a new feature. Some long sentences also pack several stages together, making the process harder to track—for example, the sentence beginning “The hot water which was earlier colder…” moves from pumping to steam, the turbine, the generator, and electricity supply without clear breaks. Use shorter stage-by-stage sentences and avoid repeating the same comparison.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “Geothermal zone,” “condenser,” and “turbine,” which makes the topic clear. There are also useful attempts at more specific wording, such as “pumped upwards” and “temperature rises.” Some choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this diagram: “inversely proportional” suggests a mathematical relationship, while “electricity suppliers” is not a feature shown. “Pumped accurately” is also an awkward collocation, and “creating a steam” is not idiomatic. Aim for precise process language and natural collocations, such as saying that water is pumped down to a depth of 4.5 km and that steam is produced in the condenser.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

You use a mix of simple and complex structures, including a relative clause in “The hot water which was earlier colder” and a contrast clause beginning “while.” Most of the process remains understandable, but some grammatical errors occur. In “the turbine that rotates and help in generating electricity,” the verb should agree with “turbine” (“helps”), and “creating a steam” has an unnecessary article before an uncountable noun. The long sentence beginning “The hot water…” also has a crowded chain of clauses, which makes the relationships between actions less clear. Break this into shorter sentences and check subject–verb agreement and article use. These adjustments would improve accuracy while preserving your ability to use complex forms.

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