Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-21

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 6.5)

The process diagram depicts the various stages involved in the production of electricity through geothermal energy.

O nthe whole, it is evident that the process consists of five distinct steps that begins with the process of pumping down the cold water and culminates in the generation of electricity by the generator.

At the initial stage of the process, cold water is pumped 4.5km down the ground. After this, the injection well then injects this water towards the production well passing through the geothermal zone containing hot rocks which heats up the water.

Once the hot water reaches the production well, it is pumped up the ground by this well and finally it is reached to the condenser which is kept above the ground. The hot water here is converted into steam by the process of condensation and this steam then powers up the turbine which finally provides power to the generator and finally here the electricity is then produced.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response identifies the process as a sequence from pumping cold water underground to generating electricity, and it includes the key route through the geothermal zone, production well, condenser, steam, turbine and generator. The overview also gives the broad start and end points. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the water is pumped down the injection well, rather than the well itself then injecting it towards the production well, and the condenser does not convert hot water into steam “by the process of condensation” (condensation is the reverse process). The description also says there are five steps without clearly distinguishing the stages from the equipment. More precise reporting of how the water is heated and how steam drives the turbine would make the account more complete and accurate.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 7.0

The information is arranged in a clear sequence, with an introduction, an overview and two paragraphs following the process from underground circulation to electricity generation. Time and sequence markers such as “At the initial stage,” “After this,” and “Once” help the reader follow the stages. The progression is generally logical, although the final paragraph becomes crowded: several actions are joined in one long sentence, and repeated uses of “finally” make the links feel mechanical. The reference in “this well” is understandable, but some transitions could more clearly distinguish the production well, condenser and turbine. Breaking the final sequence into shorter sentences and varying the linking language would make the cohesion more flexible.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

The response uses a suitable range of process vocabulary, including “geothermal zone,” “injection well,” “production well,” “condenser” and “turbine,” which allows the main stages to be identified. It also attempts more formal phrasing, such as “culminates in the generation of electricity.” Some choices are imprecise or unnatural, however: “powers up the turbine” and “provides power to the generator” are less exact than describing steam driving the turbine and the turbine driving the generator. “Converted into steam by the process of condensation” also misuses a technical term. These issues do not prevent understanding, but more precise collocations and careful use of process terminology would improve the description.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There is an attempt to use both simple and complex structures, including the relative clause “which heats up the water” and the time clause beginning “Once the hot water reaches the production well.” Meaning is generally recoverable, but some grammatical errors remain. In the overview, “the process consists of five distinct steps that begins” has a subject–verb agreement error; “it is reached to the condenser” is an awkward passive construction; and “the electricity is then produced” is an unnecessary passive after “the generator.” The final sentence also strings several clauses together, reducing control of sentence structure. Use direct forms such as “the water reaches the condenser” and check agreement and clause boundaries when editing.

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