Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 how electricity is produced through geothermal energy.

Overall, it is a linear process consists of 5 distinct stages, beginning with pumping cold water underground to be heated by hot rocks and culminating in the generation of electricity.

Initially, cold water is pumped down deeply into the ground, about 4.5 kilometers long ditch and then it reaches into the injection well. The water then travels from geothermal zone where water came in contact with hot rocks and its temperature become higher and reaches into the production well. Hot water is pumped in the upwards direction.

In the subsequent phase, the water enters into the condenser where it turns into steam in the form of vapours. The turbine starts revolving with the help of the produced steam and the generator which is connected to turbine produces power in terms of electricity. Finally, the consumed powers is then passed into the poles which is delivered into various places.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response covers the main sequence from pumping cold water underground to generating electricity, and the overview identifies the process as linear with five stages. It also includes the key depth of 4.5 km and explains the roles of the turbine and generator. This meets the task well, though some details are less fully or accurately described: the water is pumped down through the injection well, rather than reaching it after travelling down a ditch, and the condenser is described as turning water into steam without clarifying that hot water is converted to steam there. The final reference to power being delivered to “various places” is not shown; the diagram only indicates transmission via power lines and a pylon. More precise reporting of these stages would strengthen the overview and detail.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information is arranged in a clear sequence, moving from the initial pumping stage through heating and the production well to electricity generation. Paragraphing separates the overview from the process details, while “Initially,” “In the subsequent phase,” and “Finally” help guide the reader. The progression is easy to follow overall. Some links between stages could be more exact: “and then it reaches into the injection well” makes the relationship between the water and well unclear, and “the consumed powers” does not clearly refer back to the electricity produced. Use more precise references and connect each stage directly to the next; this would make the cohesion more flexible and less dependent on time markers.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The response uses a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “geothermal zone,” “injection well,” “production well,” “condenser,” “turbine,” and “generator.” These terms make the account recognisable and generally clear. There are, however, some inaccurate or awkward choices that reduce precision: “ditch” is not an appropriate description of the underground well, “turns into steam in the form of vapours” is redundant, and “consumed powers” does not express the intended meaning. “Poles” is also less precise than the diagram’s power lines and transmission pylon. Aim for concise, accurate collocations and avoid adding wording that does not clarify the process.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a relative clause in “the generator which is connected to turbine produces power” and a sequence joined with “where.” The overall meaning remains understandable, but some grammatical errors recur. The overview needs “is a linear process consisting of,” not “is a linear process consists of.” In “about 4.5 kilometers long ditch,” the article and sentence structure are faulty; “a well about 4.5 kilometres deep” would be clearer. There are also agreement and tense errors in “its temperature become higher,” and missing articles in “connected to turbine.” Review verb agreement, articles, and clause construction, while keeping the useful variety of sentence patterns.

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