Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-16

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 illustrate how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity.

Overall, it is noticeable that the geothermal power plant produce electricity by following five process. To begin with cold water, the injection well, the production well, condenser and generator turbine.

It is evident that the first process is cold water travel 4.5 km that pumped down under earth. Secondly, the injection well transfer water to geothermal zone along the hot rocks. Thirdly, the hot water were at the production well and pumped up at the surface.

A closer looks reveals that the hot water were place at forth process known as condenser. After reaching there, hot water were convert into steam and pass into last process generator turbine. The steam were passes through the turbine and go to high voltage generator. After that they produces electricity and transfer in to a main grid.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as geothermal electricity production and include several key stages: water is pumped underground, heated near hot rocks, brought back up, and converted to steam. However, the overview is unclear and inaccurate: “five process” is followed by a list that omits the turbine and does not explain the overall transformation. The account also misstates the first stage: the water is pumped down the injection well, while 4.5 km describes the well’s depth, not how far the water travels. The final equipment is a turbine and a separate generator, rather than a “generator turbine.” The response is 136 words, below the 150-word minimum, which limits the detail provided. Add a clear overview and describe each stage accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to the stages in sequence. Sequencing expressions such as “To begin with,” “Secondly,” and “Thirdly” help the reader follow the process. However, progression becomes less clear in the overview, where the list “the injection well, the production well, condenser and generator turbine” does not explain how the stages connect. The final paragraph also repeats “After reaching there” and “After that” without clearly distinguishing the condenser, turbine, and generator. Some references, such as “there” and “they,” are not precise. Use one paragraph for a concise overview and group the stages into a clear sequence, with accurate references to each component.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “geothermal zone,” “condenser,” “steam,” and “turbine,” which helps convey the subject. However, several word choices and combinations are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “the injection well transfer water,” “hot water were place,” and “high voltage generator.” “Generator turbine” also blurs two separate components. These choices sometimes make the process difficult to picture, and the vocabulary range is limited by repeated use of “water,” “process,” and “after.” Aim for precise verbs and standard technical collocations: for example, water is pumped down a well, heated by hot rocks, and converted into steam, which drives a turbine connected to a generator.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentences, and the sequence is generally understandable. However, grammatical errors occur frequently and sometimes make relationships between stages unclear. Subject–verb agreement is incorrect in “The diagram illustrate” and “the geothermal power plant produce”; past-tense forms are also inconsistent in “hot water were” and “steam were passes.” Several sentences lack a complete or well-formed structure, particularly the overview fragment beginning “To begin with cold water.” Articles and sentence construction also need attention in phrases such as “at forth process.” Practise accurate present simple for describing diagrams, including singular agreement (“illustrates,” “produces”), and build complete sentences with a clear subject and verb.

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