Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-25

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 presents different ways of how geothermal energy used to produce electricity. The purpose of this diagram is to show how electricity generated by providing different stages using labels.

Overall, cold water passed by geothermal zone which labeled as hot rocks to the production well. From the production well water goes on different stages such as condenser, turbine, generator and ultimately electric grid. All the process ultimately leads to generating electricity.

Cold water at about 4.5km height flows through geothermal zone from injection well to the production well. By this process in condenser water turns into steam and enter into turbine, which helps to create electricity by rotating shafts and passes to the generator. Then from the generator electricity finally goes toward electricity grid.

All this process the water flows through a cycle loop and change its formation from water to steam. Therefore, in total there are five stage.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence from cold water and the injection well through the geothermal zone and production well to the condenser, turbine and generator. The overview also recognises that the process produces electricity. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the water is not at a “4.5km height”; 4.5 km indicates the depth of the injection well. The diagram shows water being heated underground and then converted to steam in the condenser, but it does not show rotating shafts or a water cycle loop. The final stage is also described as an “electricity grid,” whereas the diagram shows electricity transmission. To strengthen the response, report the stages precisely and avoid adding mechanisms or a cycle that the diagram does not establish.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and further description of the process. Sequencing phrases such as “Overall,” “Then” and “finally” help the reader follow the general order. However, progression is weakened by repetition: the overview and the next paragraph both list the same stages and outcome. Some links are also unclear, particularly “All this process the water flows through a cycle loop,” which does not connect smoothly to the preceding explanation. Organise the stages once in a clear sequence, and use paragraphing to separate the overview from the detailed account. More precise references to what each stage does would make the connections between sentences easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “condenser,” “turbine” and “generator,” so the reader can identify the main components. There is also some attempt to describe transformation with “turns into steam.” However, several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “different ways of how,” “4.5km height,” “electric grid” and “change its formation.” These choices sometimes obscure the intended meaning, especially when describing the depth and the final electricity output. Aim for accurate collocations and use the diagram’s labels where possible. For example, describe water as being pumped down the injection well and heated by hot rocks, rather than saying it “flows through” the zone without clarifying the change.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes both simple statements and attempts at longer sentences, for example, “By this process in condenser water turns into steam and enter into turbine.” However, errors in verb forms, articles and sentence construction are frequent enough to make some relationships difficult to understand. Examples include “how geothermal energy used” (missing “is”), “water turns into steam and enter” (the verb should agree with “water”), and “All this process the water flows” (the opening phrase is not grammatically connected to the clause). The sentence about water passing through the geothermal zone also has an unclear structure. Practise forming complete clauses with accurate subjects and verbs, and check articles such as “the condenser” and “the turbine.” This will make your process description clearer while retaining sentence variety.

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