Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · 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 6.5)

The diagram illustrates the stages involved in the production of electricity. Overall, there are five siginificant steps in geothermal power plant starting from pumping the water inside the earth to generating electricity using generator.

Initially, the cold water is pumped down the earth. And then there is an injection well at almost 4.5 kilometres down the earth from where all the process starts. There is a region of hot rocks called geothermal zone where the cold water increases it temperature. Moving on to the production well where that hot water is pumped up to the ground level.

Subsequently, a condensor is installed that converts the hot water into steam. The steam then plays a very pivot role in the whole process, there is a turbine just after the condender that operates using steam. The final step of the geothermal power plant is the working of generator which is power by the turbine. This results into the production of electricity and the generator is directly attached to the transformer which is later on use to transfer electricity.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response gives a clear overview of the process, identifying the movement from pumping water underground to generating electricity, and it reports the main stages in broadly correct order. Details such as the 4.5-kilometre depth, the geothermal zone, and the turbine powered by steam are relevant and grounded in the diagram. This covers the task well, but some features are less fully or accurately described: the condenser is said to convert hot water into steam, whereas the diagram labels it as the point where steam is released, and the final reference to a transformer is not shown. To strengthen the summary, describe the condenser more cautiously and avoid adding equipment absent from the visual.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information follows a clear chronological sequence, supported by transitions such as “Initially,” “Moving on,” and “Subsequently.” The opening overview also helps orient the reader before the stages are described. Paragraphing is appropriate, and the process remains easy to follow overall. Some linking is less controlled: “And then” begins a sentence after a full stop, while the final sentence joins the generator’s function and an added claim about a transformer, making the ending less focused. The phrase “the steam then plays a very pivot role” interrupts the otherwise direct progression. For stronger cohesion, use transitions sparingly and make each sentence report one clear stage or relationship.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is adequate vocabulary for describing a process, including “injection well,” “production well,” “geothermal zone,” “turbine,” and “generating electricity.” These terms show relevant topic awareness, and the meaning is generally clear. However, some word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “increases it temperature,” “plays a very pivot role,” and “transformer … use to transfer electricity.” There are also spelling errors in “siginificant” and “condensor,” and “condender” is inconsistent. These slips do not prevent understanding, but they limit precision and control. Use standard technical labels consistently and prefer concise process language, such as “heats the water” and “drives the generator.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts a mix of simple and more complex structures, including a relative clause in “a region of hot rocks called geothermal zone where…” and a sequence of linked process statements. The stages are usually understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. Examples include “increases it temperature” (possessive form), “the generator which is power by the turbine” (passive verb form), and “which is later on use” (verb form and agreement). The sentence beginning “And then” is also an awkward sentence boundary, and the final sentence combines clauses without clear control. Aim to check verb forms and possessives, and use shorter, complete sentences when describing each stage.

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