Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-13
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 5.5)
The process diagram illustrates the transformation of geothermal energy into electricity production.
Overall,the geothermal power plant follows a series of processes in order to produce electricity. Beginning with the cold water processing and ending at the generation of electricity.The whole process is largely automated and includes pumping of hot and cold water and condensing as well.
In the production of electicity the first step is' the treatment of cold water'.It is pumped down through the injection well into the Geothermal zone ,that are basically hot rocks.Once the water got hot enough it is then pumped up with the aid of production well.From here water is collected in condenser in the form of steam.That is used to run turbine.Without the steam the generator turbine doesn't function properly.When the turbine runs, electricity generates.This is then sent via cables to electric poles.
The whole process needs water and then, different temperatures of water are set to obtain desire results. This is our need.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
You identify the main sequence from cold water being pumped underground to electricity generation, and you mention the injection well, hot rocks, production well, condenser, turbine and generator. This gives the reader a relevant account of the process. However, the overview is broad rather than a clear summary of the key transformation, and some details are inaccurate or unclear: the condenser does not collect water “in the form of steam”; rather, hot water reaches it and steam is produced. The final comments about “different temperatures” and “our need” are not supported by the diagram. To strengthen the response, describe the stages precisely and make the overview focus on how water is heated underground and converted to electricity.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0
The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, a description of the stages, and a concluding comment. The process is mostly presented in the correct order, and phrases such as “Once” and “From here” help connect events. However, the overview contains a sentence fragment (“Beginning with … and ending …”), and the final paragraph introduces an idea that does not follow clearly from the process description. Some links are also imprecise, particularly “That is used to run turbine,” where the reference to steam could be clearer. Keep the account in a consistent stage-by-stage progression and use explicit references such as “The resulting steam then powers the turbine.”
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
You use relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “Geothermal zone,” “condenser” and “turbine,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “transformation” and “generation.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this process: “treatment of cold water,” “water is collected in condenser in the form of steam,” and “electricity generates.” Spelling errors such as “electicity” and “desire” also reduce precision. Aim for standard process collocations and accurate technical wording, for example, “cold water is pumped down,” “steam is produced,” and “electricity is generated.”
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a time clause beginning “Once the water…” and a conditional sentence beginning “Without the steam…”. However, control is inconsistent, and several errors make parts of the description difficult to follow. For example, “Beginning with … and ending …” is a fragment, “hot rocks, that are” has faulty agreement and punctuation, and “Once the water got hot enough it is then pumped up” shifts tense awkwardly. Articles and sentence boundaries also need attention in “run turbine” and “That is used to run turbine.” Use the present simple consistently for a process, and check that each sentence has a complete main clause.
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