Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-28

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 illustrates the production of electricity through geothermal energy and what are the step and material involved in energy production.

In general, for producing electricity we the most important thing is water, and several machined and steps like condenser, turbine, pump and generator which are installed in surface that place is known as geothermal power plant.

Initially, the cold water is stored in the container ,it is pumped into the ground about 4.5km and stored in a well known as injected well as the temperature is very high in the ground the water passes through the rocks and from the ground the hot water is pumped up and it contains steam is produced.

the condenser contains steam and is connected to a turbine that steam helps turbine to rotate, due to the this the electricity is produced and the electricity is not stable.

the electricity generated by the turbine is supplied to the generator, it starts and produce electricity which is stable to supply .

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response5.5
Coherence and Cohesion5.5
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main process and include several key stages: cold water is sent underground to a depth of 4.5 km, heated by the hot rocks, and returned to the surface before steam drives a turbine. This gives the reader a relevant account, but the description is only partly accurate and some important relationships are unclear. For example, you say the water is “stored in a well,” whereas it is pumped down the injection well, and you suggest steam is produced as the hot water comes up; the diagram shows steam being released at the condenser. The overview also focuses on water and equipment rather than clearly summarising the full sequence from underground heating to electricity generation. Clarify each stage and the generator’s role to develop the account more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic structure, moving from an introduction and general statement to the underground stages and then the surface equipment. Sequencing words such as “Initially” and “the condenser” help signal progression. However, the overall progression is weakened by unclear links between stages and by information that is repeated or contradictory. The final paragraph first says the turbine produces electricity, then says electricity is supplied to the generator, although the diagram shows the turbine driving the generator. Some sentences also combine several steps without clear punctuation, making the sequence harder to follow. Use one paragraph for the overview and organise the details in the order water travels, with clear references to what each component does.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “geothermal energy,” “condenser,” “turbine,” “generator,” and “4.5km,” so the topic is recognisable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the process difficult to understand. “Machined” does not fit the meaning here, and “injected well” is not the appropriate name for the injection well. Phrases such as “the electricity is not stable” and “which is stable to supply” introduce unsupported ideas and are unclear. Aim for precise process verbs and standard technical terms, such as “pump,” “heat,” “release steam,” and “generate electricity,” rather than adding claims not shown in the diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a sequence linked with “as” and a clause explaining that steam turns the turbine. However, the range is limited, and errors in sentence construction, agreement, articles, and punctuation are frequent enough to make some relationships unclear. For instance, “for producing electricity we the most important thing is water” has an incomplete structure, while “the electricity generated by the turbine is supplied to the generator, it starts” joins two independent clauses incorrectly. There are also errors in “it starts and produce electricity” and inconsistent capitalisation at the start of sentences. Practise building clear subject–verb sentences and use full stops to separate process stages.

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