Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 process diagram illustrates how geothermal power plant uses energy to make electricity.

Overall, the process diagram involves 5 steps to produce electricity, that starts with cold water pumping down to underground to generator powered by turbine to make electricity at the end.

The diagram process starts with cold water being pumped down into the ground for 4.5 km then the second step is the injection well that pumps it to the geothermal zone which uses hot rocks to make the cold water to hot water.

The 3 stage is the production well that pumps the hot water up to ground which goes then to the condenser. It makes the steam from hot water which goes to the next stage that is generator turbine. The steam powers the turbine then generator starts working which is powered by it and produces the electricity. Then this current goes to the electricity tower which produces electricity for towns.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the main stages and give an overview that the process begins with cold water and ends with electricity generation. The 4.5 km depth, geothermal zone, production well, condenser, steam, turbine and generator are all relevant details. However, some stages are misrepresented or unclear: the injection well carries water down to the geothermal zone; it does not itself pump water to that zone as a separate second step. The turbine and generator are also distinct stages, rather than a “generator turbine,” and the diagram shows electricity being transmitted, not that the tower produces it for towns. Develop the overview and describe each component’s role more precisely to make the account consistently clear and complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows the process in a broadly logical order, moving from cold water underground to the production well and then to electricity generation. The opening overview also helps orient the reader. However, the sequence is not always easy to follow because the stages are numbered inconsistently: the injection well is called the second step after the water has already been pumped down, and “the next stage that is generator turbine” combines two separate components. Linking phrases such as “then” and “which” are used repeatedly, and some references, such as “it” in the final sentences, are not fully clear. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and details, and connect each stage with precise transitions and references.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “geothermal zone,” “production well,” “condenser” and “turbine,” which helps communicate the subject. However, some word choices and collocations are imprecise or repetitive. “Make the cold water to hot water” is not natural, while “generator turbine” incorrectly merges two pieces of equipment. “Electricity tower” is also less accurate than the diagram’s transmission pylon, and “current” is vague in this context. Aim for precise process verbs and technical nouns, and avoid repeating “make” and “goes.” For example, describe water as being heated by hot rocks, steam as driving the turbine, and the generator as producing electricity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including a passive construction in “cold water being pumped down” and clauses linked with “which.” The overall meaning is generally understandable, but some grammatical errors make relationships between stages unclear. For example, “how geothermal power plant uses” needs an article, and “that starts with” does not agree naturally with “the process diagram.” The phrase “The 3 stage is” needs an ordinal form, while “which uses hot rocks to make the cold water to hot water” has an unclear clause structure. There are also awkward tense and reference choices in “generator starts working which is powered by it.” Practise accurate articles, agreement and clause construction, especially when describing cause and sequence.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.