Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · 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 6.0)

The diagram illustrates the process of generating electricity using geothermal energy in a geothermal power plant.

Overall, there are five steps in process consists of a multi-stage system split into underground and surface-level. It begins with injection of cold water deep into the earth and ends with the distribution of electricity produce by a steam-powered turbine and generator.

In the first step, cold water is pumped down 4.5 Km underground through the injection well. Next, the water is injected to geothermal zone it passes through hot rocks that drastically increase its temperature.

After that, the heated water is pumped up through the production well and enters the condenser, where it is converted into steam. the steam then drives a turbine, which powers a generator to produce electricity. Finally the electricity is transmitted to the power grid. while the steam is processed in to condenser as part of the system.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.0
Coherence and Cohesion6.5
Lexical Resource6.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.5
Overall6.0

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the process and give a clear overall account: cold water is sent underground, heated by hot rocks, brought back up, and used to generate electricity. The main stages and the 4.5 km depth are accurately reported, and the overview distinguishes underground from surface activity. However, the overview says there are five steps without clearly setting out what those stages are, and the final description is less clear: “while the steam is processed in to condenser” does not match the diagram, where steam leaves the condenser and powers the turbine. The response also falls one word short of the required 150 words. Develop the overview and describe the condenser-to-turbine sequence precisely, without adding an unsupported extra process.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a sensible overall progression, moving from an introduction and overview through the underground stages to electricity generation. Sequencing phrases such as “In the first step,” “Next,” and “After that” help the reader follow the process, and the paragraph breaks are appropriate. This is already a coherent arrangement, but some linking is mechanical and the final sentence disrupts the otherwise clear sequence. In particular, “Finally” introduces transmission, then “while” adds a confusing return to steam and the condenser. Make the relationship between the final stages explicit and avoid repeating information already covered; this would make the progression more consistently smooth.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.5

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “geothermal zone,” “production well,” “condenser,” and “transmitted.” These terms suit the diagram and allow the main stages to be understood. There are also some effective choices such as “drives a turbine.” However, a few expressions are imprecise or awkward: “the water is injected to geothermal zone” and “the steam is processed in to condenser” do not describe the relationships clearly, while “drastically increase its temperature” is stronger than the diagram supports. Use precise process collocations and avoid overstating what the visual shows. More consistent control of these phrases would add flexibility and accuracy.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex structures, for example, “After that, the heated water is pumped up through the production well and enters the condenser, where it is converted into steam.” This sentence communicates the sequence clearly and shows useful control of a subordinate clause. Some errors remain, however. The overview has faulty construction in “there are five steps in process consists of,” and “electricity produce” needs a passive form. There are also missing articles in “to geothermal zone,” and sentence-boundary and capitalization problems in “steam then drives” and “Finally the electricity … while.” These errors do not prevent understanding of the main process, but proofreading sentence structure, verb forms, articles, and punctuation would improve accuracy.

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