Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-22

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 map illustrates the process of electercity production in geothermal power plant.

To begin with, the stored cold water punmped downwards in ditance of about 4.5 km. Then the water injects into hot rocks which is called geothermal zone. In addition, the production well pump water again to same distance but the direction changed to upwards.

The pumped water reached in the condenser to condence it and it get converted into steam, which passes through turbine powered by steam. Moreover, Then that steam powered by turbine to generator and produce electricity power. This electricity directly get supplied to power houses.

From overall perspective, the whole process get completed in five steps, the most important step is when turbine's shaft give power to generator the electric power get genrated.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence: cold water is sent underground, heated in the geothermal zone, brought back up, and used to produce electricity. The 4.5 km depth is also reported accurately. However, the overview is unclear and partly inaccurate: the process is described as having “five steps,” but the account does not clearly summarise the full sequence, and the final claim that electricity is supplied to “power houses” is not shown in the diagram. The turbine and generator stages are also confused: steam powers the turbine, which in turn drives the generator. The response is 22 words below the required minimum, limiting the detail available. Develop a clearer overview and describe each stage accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable sequence, moving from water being pumped down to electricity generation, and paragraph breaks help separate the stages from the concluding comment. Sequencing expressions such as “To begin with,” “Then,” and “In addition” support the progression. However, some links are mechanical or unclear, particularly “Moreover, Then,” and the final “From overall perspective” does not connect smoothly to the preceding description. References such as “it” and “that steam” are not always clear, and the conclusion repeats the process rather than providing a concise overview. Use a consistent chronological structure and clearer references—for example, name the water, steam, turbine, and generator at each transition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “geothermal zone,” “production well,” “condenser,” “turbine,” and “generator,” which makes the topic identifiable. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “pumped downwards” and “converted into steam.” However, spelling errors (“electercity,” “punmped,” “genrated”) and inaccurate or unnatural combinations (“condence it,” “electricity power,” “power houses”) are noticeable and sometimes make the meaning less precise. Some words are repeated, especially “water,” “steam,” and “powered.” Check spelling carefully and choose standard process collocations, such as “generate electricity” and “steam drives the turbine,” to improve clarity and precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and linked sentences, including a relative clause in “hot rocks which is called geothermal zone” and a sequence joined with “which passes through.” However, control is uneven, and errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction occur throughout. For example, “the production well pump water” needs a singular verb and a passive construction, while “it get converted” and “the electric power get genrated” have incorrect agreement. The final sentence also combines several ideas without clear grammatical boundaries. Practise accurate passive forms for process descriptions (“water is pumped,” “steam is produced”) and check subject–verb agreement and articles. More reliable sentence patterns will make the stages easier to follow.

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