Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-11

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 depicts the process of production of electricity through geothermal energy usage.

Overall, the process contains five steps begining from transporting cold water to underground hot rocks and ending at generator supplying electricity to electricity towers. In the entire process water and its various forms is an essential component.

Firstly the process starts with supplying stored cold water to underground geothermal zone. This is done using a 4.5 km long injection well , through this the cold water travells down and comes in contact with the hot rocks, these rocks makes the cold water hot. Later on this water is pumped upward passing through the production well.

Next in the process is converting mechanical work into electricity. This is done by converting the hot water into steam using the condenser which is attached to the hot water tube. The steam is attached to turbine which provides it the power to rotate. The energy produced by turbine is passed on to the generator which ultimately converts it into electricity. Generator acts as a source of energy for the electricity towers.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.5
Coherence and Cohesion7.0
Lexical Resource6.0
Grammatical Range and Accuracy6.0
Overall6.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response covers the main stages in the correct order: cold water is sent down the injection well, heated by the hot rocks, returned through the production well, and used to generate electricity. The 4.5 km depth is also reported accurately, and the opening overview identifies the process’s start and end. This gives the account a clear, relevant foundation. However, the overview says there are “five steps,” although the diagram’s numbered stages do not include every transformation, and some details are unclear or imprecise: the condenser is described as converting hot water into steam, while the diagram shows it releasing steam. The final reference to “electricity towers” also misstates the generator’s role. More precise coverage of these features would strengthen the summary.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The response is organised into an introduction, an overview and two body paragraphs, with a sensible progression from the underground water cycle to electricity generation. Sequencing expressions such as “Firstly,” “Later on” and “Next” help the reader follow the process, and the shift between the two main phases is clear. Some links are less precise, however: “Next in the process is converting mechanical work into electricity” introduces the second phase awkwardly, and “this water” and “it” require the reader to infer their exact referents. The final sentence also repeats the idea of electricity production rather than adding a distinct stage. Use more direct transitions and clearer references to each component to make cohesion more flexible and less dependent on sequencing phrases.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

There is an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “geothermal zone,” “condenser,” “turbine” and “generator.” These terms make the account relevant and generally understandable. Some word choices and collocations are imprecise, though: “electricity towers” is not the right term for the transmission pylon, “the steam is attached to turbine” is unnatural, and “provides it the power to rotate” does not describe the relationship clearly. There are also spelling errors such as “begining” and “travells.” Aim for more accurate process verbs and natural technical collocations—for example, say that steam “drives” the turbine and that the generator “produces electricity.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The response uses a mix of simple and complex forms, including the relative clause “which is attached to the hot water tube” and the participial phrase “passing through the production well.” Most stages remain understandable despite some grammatical errors. These include subject–verb agreement in “these rocks makes,” missing articles in “attached to turbine” and “converting mechanical work,” and an awkward construction in “Overall, the process contains five steps begining from…” The sentence “The energy produced by turbine is passed on to the generator” also needs an article before “turbine.” Review agreement, articles and sentence construction, and punctuate consistently; for instance, remove the space before the comma after “well” and avoid joining clauses with an unclear structure.

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