Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the phenomenon of electricity production via a geothermal source of energy.

The cold water is passed through various underground steps, involving passing through few hot zones, till moving uwards to get converted into a condensed form where it aids running the turbine which would then help the generator to produce electricity.

The cold water from the surface reservoir is pumped down the injection well, upto a depth of 4.5km. This water then passes through a specific hot zone consisting of hot rocks, known as Geothermal Zone, which heats up the water until the later reaches the Production well. The hot water, then, is pumped up into a specific compartment known as Condenser,which is almost double the size of the cold reservoir, where it gets converted into steam. The steam, inturn, powers the turbine to run which then helps the generator to function efficiently. This last step converts geothermal energy into electricity which reaches the grid stations.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response identifies the main sequence: water is pumped down the injection well, heated by hot rocks, brought up through the production well, and used to generate electricity. Including the 4.5 km depth is a useful specific detail, and the overview conveys the overall transformation from cold water to electricity. However, some details are unclear or unsupported: the water passes through one geothermal zone, not “few hot zones,” and the diagram does not show the condenser as almost double the size of the reservoir. The final reference to “grid stations” is also not shown; the diagram indicates transmission lines and a pylon. The stages are covered, but a more precise overview and closer selection of diagram-supported details would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The information follows the process in a sensible order, moving from the surface reservoir through the underground wells to the turbine and generator. Linking expressions such as “This water then” and “The steam, in turn” help connect successive stages, and the response has a clear opening followed by process details. To show more of the flexibility expected at the next level, separate the overview from the detailed sequence more clearly, for example by using distinct paragraphs. Some links are awkward or repetitive, particularly the long second sentence, which compresses several stages into one chain. Clearer sentence boundaries and more precise references to each component would make the progression easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The response uses a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “Geothermal Zone,” “Condenser,” “steam,” and “turbine,” and terms such as “pumped down” and “pumped up” communicate the direction of movement. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “illustrates” and “converted.” However, some choices are imprecise or unnatural: “phenomenon” is not the best term for a process, “specific hot zone” is vague, and “running the turbine” is less natural than describing steam as driving it. “Grid stations” is not supported by the diagram. More accurate collocations and consistent technical wording would improve precision while retaining the useful range already shown.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex structures, including the relative clause “which heats up the water” and the sequence “where it gets converted into steam.” The main process remains understandable, but some sentence construction and punctuation errors reduce control. For example, “The cold water is passed … till moving uwards” is an incomplete and awkwardly formed clause, while “The steam, inturn, powers the turbine to run which then helps the generator” has an unclear relative clause. Commas are also misplaced or missing around phrases such as “then” and before “which.” Aim to make each stage a complete, clearly structured sentence, and check clause attachment, punctuation, and consistent verb forms.

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