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 usage of geothermal energy in the making of electricity

Overall,to produce electricity by using geothermal energy it takes a total of 5 steps.

Starting from cold water and ending into the generator.

Making of electricity by using geothermal energy starts from cold water which is pushed 4.5km underground into the injection well where that cold water get into narrow pipes which passes through the geothermal zone which are (hot rocks). Here the cold water gets extremely hot until reaching to the far end into the production well.

From the production well the hot water is pumped up into a condenser where the hot water vaporize and turn in to steam.

From the condenser chamber the steam power a turbine which makes it spin.

The turbine is connected with a electricity generator and the spining of the turbine produces electricity which is storaged in generator.

The generator is connected with a electric tower where the produced electricity is transmitted to the city.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response covers the main sequence accurately: cold water is sent down the injection well, heated by the hot rocks, brought up through the production well, converted to steam, and used to drive a turbine and generator. The overview also identifies the process as having five steps, consistent with the numbered stages. However, some details are less fully or precisely reported. For example, the diagram shows the generator producing electricity, but the claim that electricity is “storaged in generator” is not supported; it is transmitted through power lines. The final reference to transmission “to the city” is also an added detail. A clearer overview of the key transformation—from cold water underground to steam powering electricity generation—would make the summary more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The information is arranged in a generally logical order, moving from the initial water supply through underground heating and then to electricity generation. Paragraphing separates the overview from the process details, and phrases such as “From the production well” and “From the condenser chamber” help signal progression. However, the overview is split into two short fragments (“Overall…” and “Starting from…”), so the relationship between these ideas is not fully clear. Some transitions are also repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “From,” and the final two sentences could connect the turbine, generator, and transmission more smoothly. Use a complete overview sentence and vary linking expressions while keeping the stages in sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “geothermal zone,” “condenser,” “steam,” and “turbine,” which allows the reader to follow the diagram. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “pumped up” and “transmitted.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward: “usage … in the making of electricity,” “the hot water vaporize,” and “electricity is storaged” do not sound natural. Spelling errors such as “spining” and “storaged” also reduce precision. Aim for standard process-reporting phrases and check word forms; for example, say that water is heated, steam drives the turbine, and electricity is transmitted.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a relative clause in “cold water which is pushed 4.5km underground” and a sequence of clauses describing the wells. The overall meaning is usually understandable, but grammatical errors occur in several sentences. Examples include “that cold water get,” where the verb does not agree with its subject, “pipes which passes,” and “the steam power a turbine.” Articles and sentence construction also need attention: “with a electricity generator” is incorrect, while “Overall,to produce…” lacks spacing after the comma and is followed by a sentence fragment, “Starting from cold water and ending into the generator.” Review subject–verb agreement, articles, and complete sentence formation, then proofread punctuation.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.