Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-08

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 generating electricity by using geothermal energy.

Starting by pumping down the cold water through an injecting well, whose lenght is 4.5 kilometers, to the geothermal zone (which is consisted on hot rocks).This increases the temperature of the water, then the hot water is pumped up through the production well, into the condenser. It causes to produce the steam in te condenser.

After this the steam is transferred towrad the turbine.Subsequently, the turbine starts to rotate due to the force and pressure caused by the steam. Once the turbine started rotating is starts the generator. The electricity is produced through the generator, when turbine starts rotating.

The process conclude with the final stage after generating electricity it then transferred to the towers by wires.This is how electricity is produced by using geothermal energy

by taking cold water and passing it through the hot rocks to get steam from it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main stages in the correct order: cold water is pumped underground, heated by the hot rocks, brought back up, and used to produce steam that drives a turbine and generator. Including the 4.5-kilometre depth is a useful specific detail. However, the account is mainly a sequence of steps rather than a clear summary of the process as a whole. The overview is delayed until the final sentence and repeats earlier information, while the role of the generator and the final transmission of electricity are described imprecisely. For example, electricity is sent through wires to a transmission pylon, not simply “to the towers.” A concise overview near the beginning and more precise coverage of the final stages would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows the diagram’s general sequence, and transitions such as “After this” and “Subsequently” help the reader follow the stages. However, the progression is not consistently clear because the writing is presented as one block, with abrupt joins and repeated information. The final sentence restates the opening process rather than adding a distinct concluding point, and “The process conclude with the final stage after generating electricity it then transferred…” combines several ideas without a clear relationship. Some references are also unclear, such as “it” in the final section. Grouping the description into a brief overview and a logically ordered account of the stages, with clearer sentence boundaries and less repetition, would improve cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “geothermal zone,” “production well,” “condenser,” “turbine,” and “generator,” which allows you to describe the main equipment. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “pumped down” and “transferred.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “injecting well” is less suitable than “injection well,” “consisted on hot rocks” does not express the intended meaning, and “starts to rotate due to the force and pressure” is imprecise. Spelling errors such as “lenght,” “towrad,” and “te” also reduce control. Aim for accurate process collocations and check spelling carefully; this will make the description clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex structures, including a relative clause in “the cold water through an injecting well, whose…” and a time clause beginning “Once the turbine started rotating.” However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors recur in verb forms, sentence construction, and punctuation. For example, “Starting by pumping down…” is a fragment, “which is consisted on” has an incorrect passive construction, and “Once the turbine started rotating is starts the generator” contains a broken clause and inconsistent verb forms. The sentence beginning “The process conclude…” also lacks a clear grammatical structure. Practise forming complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check tense consistency and clause boundaries. More accurate control of these patterns would make your meaning easier to follow.

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

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