Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-14

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 diagramatic representation of geothermal power plant illustrate how current is obtained by geothermal energy.

Overall, geothermal power plant follows main procedures which benefits in producing electricity using geothermal energy involves five steps starting from injecting cold water and heating it up followed by condensation process later with the help of turbine and producers electricity is produced.

The first step is allowing cold water towards an injection wall which is in the distance of 4.5km where cold water is pumped down and passes through Geothermal zone which contains hot rocks will flow further to towrads production well which is the third step of the process.

Next step is where hot water pumped up, enters the condenser which condensation process takes place inside the condenser by forming steam. Further in generator turbine powered by steam and turbine which is the final step produces electricity. The same process is repeated to generate current.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the process as a sequence that turns cold water into electricity and include several key stages: water is pumped down, heated by hot rocks, brought back up, and converted to steam. The 4.5 km depth is also reported accurately. However, some important details are unclear or missing. The overview says there are five steps but does not clearly explain that the turbine drives a separate generator; the final sentence instead suggests the turbine produces electricity. The account also does not clearly describe steam powering the turbine or the generator producing electricity. Develop the overview and distinguish these final stages, while keeping the description focused on the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing the process in sequence. Transitions such as “The first step” and “Next step” help the reader follow the stages. However, some links are mechanical, and the progression becomes unclear in the final paragraph: “Further in generator turbine powered by steam and turbine which is the final step” does not make the relationship between the condenser, turbine, and generator clear. The overview also combines several stages in one long sentence. Use clearer sentence boundaries and connect each stage explicitly—for example, explain that steam from the condenser powers the turbine, which then drives the generator.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “condenser,” “steam,” and “geothermal zone,” which helps convey the subject. There is also some attempt to vary wording with “pumped down,” “pumped up,” and “forming steam.” However, inaccurate word forms, spelling, and collocations reduce precision: “diagramatic” is misspelled, “injection wall” is not the correct term, and “producers electricity” is unclear. “Current” is also less precise here than “electricity.” Aim for accurate technical terms and natural process phrases, such as “water is pumped through the injection well” and “the generator produces electricity.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex structures, including a relative clause in “which contains hot rocks” and sequencing clauses such as “starting from injecting cold water.” However, some errors in sentence construction and agreement make parts difficult to follow. For example, “The diagramatic representation … illustrate” has a subject–verb agreement problem, while “Overall, geothermal power plant follows main procedures which benefits…” contains unclear clause structure and agreement. The final paragraph also joins ideas without a clear grammatical relationship. Practise building complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check articles, agreement, and punctuation. Separating the stages into shorter sentences would make your meaning more reliable.

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.