Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the steps involved in producing electricity by using geothermal energy.

Overall, the process of generating electricity in a geothermal power plant involves five main stages, starting with pumping cold water 4.5 km underground and ending with power generation. Cold water is injected into a geothermal zone of hot rocks where it is heated, before being pumped up as hot water to a condenser, which produces steam to drive a turbine that powers a generator.

First of all, cold water is pumped down almost 4.5 km into the injection well. The water passes geothermal zone which contains hot rocks. These rocks facilitate water to become hot and water travels to the production well.

From this well, hot water is pumped up to a condenser where it is converted into the steam. The steam provides power to the turbine and then turbine gives the power to generator and produce electricity. The electricity obtained is then stored in a geotgermal power plant.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response identifies the process as a sequence and gives a clear overview, including the key transformation from cold water to hot water, then steam, and finally electricity. It also correctly mentions the injection and production wells and the 4.5 km depth. However, some details are incomplete or inaccurate: the diagram shows the turbine driving the generator, but the final sentence says the electricity is “stored in a geothermal power plant,” which is not shown; it is transmitted from the generator. The overview says there are five stages, but the stages are not clearly distinguished in the body. To strengthen the report, describe the full sequence precisely and avoid adding unsupported information about storage.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a coherent overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and a chronological description of the process. Sequencing phrases such as “Overall,” “First of all,” and “From this well” help the reader follow the stages. However, the body is brief and the progression becomes less clear near the end, particularly in “The steam provides power to the turbine and then turbine gives the power to generator.” The final sentence about electricity being stored also disrupts the process sequence. Use clearer links between each stage and refer consistently to the equipment—for example, explain that the turbine drives the generator, which produces electricity for transmission.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “geothermal zone,” “condenser,” and “turbine,” which allows the main stages to be understood. There is also some useful variation in describing the water as “cold” and “hot.” However, several expressions are imprecise or awkward, such as “rocks facilitate water to become hot,” “converted into the steam,” and “gives the power to generator.” The misspelling “geotgermal” and the unsupported phrase “stored in a geothermal power plant” also weaken precision. Aim for accurate process collocations and consistent technical wording, such as “heated by the hot rocks” and “drives the generator.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple sentences and more complex structures, particularly the overview sentence beginning “Cold water is injected…” and the clause “where it is heated.” Most of the process remains understandable, but some grammatical errors occur. For example, “passes geothermal zone” needs an article (“passes through the geothermal zone”), while “then turbine gives the power to generator and produce electricity” has missing articles and faulty agreement; the subject “turbine” also requires “produces” if it is the subject of that verb. “Converted into the steam” uses an unnecessary article. Greater control of articles, prepositions, and subject–verb agreement would make the sequence more accurate and fluent.

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