Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-18

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 provided diagram illustrates the process of generation of electricity by geothermal energy.

In first step, cold water flows in the injection well which is in depth of 4.5km. Water is pumped down through this injection well. This goes down into geothermal zone in which hot rocks are present. In this zone, water became hot and pumped up through the production well.

In this side, hot water flows through the condenser. This condenser generates the steam which goes to the turbine. This turbine produces electricity by the steam which is produced condenser. Generator transfers the huge amount of electricity to power houses through the large towers. This is the main storage point where electricity is produced and stored.

Overall, electricity produced through the geothermal energy invovles the water, condenser and turbine system which mainly converts water energy into electricity. This electricity is transfered through the big towers to the power houses.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You describe the main sequence from cold water entering the injection well to steam driving a turbine and generator, and you correctly include the 4.5 km depth. However, the overview is not fully accurate: the process converts water heated by hot rocks into electricity, rather than simply “water energy,” and the diagram does not show electricity being stored or delivered specifically to “power houses.” The generator produces electricity, while the transmission lines carry it away. Some stages are also unclear or underdeveloped, particularly how water passes through the geothermal zone and how the production well brings it back to the surface. A more precise overview and a complete, factual account of each stage would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a generally understandable sequence, moving from the injection well to the geothermal zone, then to the condenser, turbine and generator. The opening and concluding statements also give the description a recognisable structure. However, paragraphing does not clearly separate the overview from the process details, and transitions such as “In this side” are unclear. Some references are difficult to follow: “This goes down” and “This condenser” require the reader to infer what “this” refers to. The final sentences repeat the idea that electricity is produced and transferred, while adding unsupported storage and destination details. Use clearer stage-by-stage links and organise the overview separately from the sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “geothermal zone,” “production well,” “condenser,” “steam” and “turbine,” which helps identify the main components. However, several word choices and collocations are imprecise or repetitive: “This turbine produces electricity by the steam” does not clearly express that steam powers the turbine, and “large towers” is less accurate than “transmission lines” or “pylon.” “Main storage point” is also an unsuitable description of the generator. Spelling errors such as “invovles” and “transfered” are noticeable. Aim for precise process verbs and technical terms, and check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

Your writing includes both simple sentences and some attempts to link stages, so the process is mostly understandable. However, grammatical control is inconsistent. For example, “In first step” is missing an article, “water became hot” uses an unsuitable tense for a general process, and “which is in depth of 4.5km” has an awkward grammatical construction. The sentence “This turbine produces electricity by the steam which is produced condenser” contains several errors that obscure the relationship between the components. There are also problems with articles and sentence construction in “This is the main storage point where electricity is produced and stored.” Practise accurate present-simple passive forms, articles and clear clause structures when describing processes.

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