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 diagram shows how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity.

Electricity produced by geothermal energy through geothermal power plant. This production involves five important steps. Starting from pumping down cold water than this water moves through hot rocks. Than this is converted into steam. After that steam is used run turbine which run the generator to produce electricity

Production of electricity by geothermal power plant starts by pumping down cold water deep in earth about 4.5 kilo meters. Than water goes to injection well from where water moves through hot rocks area known as geothermal zone. When water passed through this area it becomes hot . After that hot water goes to the production well. From where, hot water is pumped up into the condensor. Where water is converted into steam. This steam is used to power the turbine. This turbine in turn used to power the generator. Thus generator produces electricity. At the end electricity is supplied for use.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process and describe its main sequence: cold water is pumped underground, heated by hot rocks, brought back up, and used to drive a turbine and generator. Including the 4.5-kilometre depth is a useful specific detail. However, the account is only partly complete: the overview says there are five steps but does not clearly summarise the overall transformation from cold water to electricity, and the condenser’s role is described imprecisely as where water is “converted into steam.” The diagram shows hot water reaching the condenser, which releases steam. The final statement that electricity is “supplied for use” is not shown; instead, the generator connects to transmission lines. A more accurate overview and clearer reporting of these details would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The stages are presented in a broadly logical order, and sequencing expressions such as “Starting from,” “After that,” and “Thus” help the reader follow the process. The response also attempts to separate an initial summary from a fuller account. However, the first paragraph repeats much of the second without adding a clear overview, and the progression is weakened by sentence fragments such as “From where, hot water is pumped up…” and “Where water is converted into steam.” Repeated use of “Than” and “After that” also makes the linking mechanical. Organise the response into a concise overview followed by a step-by-step description, and connect dependent clauses to complete sentences.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “geothermal zone,” “injection well,” “production well,” “turbine,” and “generator,” which allows the reader to understand the main stages. There is some repetition, however, particularly of “water,” “used,” and “power,” and several expressions are imprecise or unnatural, such as “moves through hot rocks area” and “electricity is supplied for use.” Spelling and word-form choices, including “condensor” and “kilo meters,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process verbs and standard technical spelling, while avoiding repeated wording. For example, describe water as being heated as it passes through the geothermal zone, then state that steam drives the turbine.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple statements and longer sequences, and the reader can generally understand the order of events. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently enough to make some sentences difficult to follow. For example, “Electricity produced by geothermal energy through geothermal power plant” is not a complete sentence, while “After that steam is used run turbine” is missing grammatical elements. The fragments “From where…” and “Where water is converted…” should be joined to the preceding sentences. There are also problems with verb forms and agreement in “This turbine in turn used to power the generator.” Practise complete sentence structures, articles, and consistent passive forms, such as “The turbine is then used to drive the generator.”

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