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 illustrate the production of electricity from geothermal energy.

The geothermal process involve different process which contributes to produce electricity. It mainly involves 5 stages starts from cold water and ended at producing electricity.

The geothermal process start from Cold water container from where water pumped down towards injection well. From injection well it move towards geothermal zone which holds hot rocks that increase temprature of water. Then water move towards production well from where it pumped up towards the condensor.

This condensor then trun hot water into steam and move this steam towards the next section which is combination of turbine and generator. Turbine use this steam to get powered and start moving. Once this turbine moves it starts the generator which is linked with it. Generator then start producing the electricity. This electricity then move toawards the electric towers which supply the electricity to our homes.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the process and describe its main sequence, from cold water being pumped underground to electricity generation. The reference to the geothermal zone and hot rocks also captures an important feature. However, the account is only partly complete: it does not mention the 4.5 km depth, and the overview that there are five stages is not fully aligned with the diagram’s numbered stages and final electricity output. The ending adds that electricity is supplied to homes, which is not shown; the diagram shows transmission lines and a pylon. The response is also one word below the required minimum. To strengthen the report, give a precise overview, cover each labelled stage accurately, and avoid adding information beyond the visual.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall sequence, and the paragraph breaks separate the introduction, underground stages and electricity-generation stages. Linking expressions such as “Then,” “Once,” and “This” help the reader follow the process. However, the progression is sometimes mechanical because several sentences begin with “This” or “Then,” and the reference in “the next section which is combination of turbine and generator” is not entirely clear: the condenser produces steam, which powers the turbine, and the turbine drives the generator. Grouping the stages more deliberately and using clearer references would improve cohesion. For example, explain the underground water movement in one paragraph and the steam-to-electricity conversion in another.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “geothermal zone,” “production well,” “steam,” “turbine,” and “generator,” so the reader can identify the main components. However, the range of verbs and descriptions is limited, with repeated use of “move,” “start,” and “towards.” Some word choices are imprecise: the condenser is said to “turn hot water into steam,” while the diagram indicates that steam is released there, and “electric towers” is not the most suitable term for the pylon shown. Spelling errors such as “temprature,” “condensor,” and “toawards” also reduce accuracy. Use precise process verbs and check spelling to make the description more natural and exact.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response uses mostly straightforward sentence patterns, with some attempts to link stages through clauses such as “from where water pumped down” and “which holds hot rocks.” However, these structures are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. Examples include subject–verb agreement and verb forms in “The diagram illustrate” and “The geothermal process involve,” as well as missing auxiliaries in “water pumped down” and “it pumped up.” Articles and sentence construction also need attention in “which is combination of turbine and generator.” Practise accurate present-simple descriptions of processes, including passive forms such as “water is pumped down” and “hot water is pumped up,” and check agreement and articles in each sentence.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.