Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-30

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 how geothermal energy is used to produce electricity.

Overall, this process is completed in five stage, starting from the cold water and finish in the stage of gernerator turbine to produce electricity.

Firstly, the process start from the collecting of cold water which is pumped down for about 4.5 km, after that cold water goes to the injection well through the geothermal zone (hot rocket) to the the production well and water is converted into hot water.

After, that hot water is pumped up and converted into the condenser, however, in the last stage steam are added to the generator turbine where battery are connected to the steam which produes the electricity.

In conclusion, its the easy process to produce electricity like by the collecting of cold water and and some other machines and no waste are form throughout this process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the process and give a basic overview, noting that it begins with cold water and ends with electricity generation. You also include the 4.5 km depth and mention the injection and production wells. However, the account is only partial: the turbine and generator are confused in “steam are added to the generator turbine,” and the diagram shows steam powering the turbine, which in turn drives the generator. The claim that “no waste are form” is not shown in the visual. The response also contains 136 words, below the required 150, so there is limited space to explain the stages accurately. Describe the full sequence and avoid unsupported conclusions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing the process. Sequencing expressions such as “Firstly,” “After that,” and “In conclusion” help the reader follow the intended order. However, some links are mechanical or unclear. For example, “After, that” interrupts the flow, while the long sentence beginning “Firstly” combines several stages without clearly separating them. The final conclusion repeats the general idea rather than adding useful process information. To improve progression, give each stage a clear place in the sequence and use linking phrases to show cause and movement, such as water being heated underground before it rises to the surface.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “geothermal energy,” “injection well,” “production well,” “condenser,” and “steam.” This gives the response a basic range suited to the diagram. However, several inaccurate or imprecise choices make parts difficult to understand: “hot rocket” appears to mean “hot rocks,” “battery” is not shown, and “generator turbine” merges two separate components. There are also spelling errors such as “gernerator” and “produes,” and awkward phrases such as “collecting of cold water.” Use the diagram’s labels consistently and choose precise verbs for each stage, for example, water is pumped down, heated, and pumped back up.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the overall sequence can usually be understood. However, control is uneven, particularly in longer sentences. Examples include “this process is completed in five stage” and “the process start,” where plural and subject–verb forms are incorrect. In “steam are added” and “battery are connected,” agreement is also faulty. The sentence beginning “After, that hot water” has misplaced punctuation, and “starting from the cold water and finish” does not maintain a consistent grammatical form. Practise accurate present-simple descriptions of processes, checking subject–verb agreement, articles, plurals, and parallel structures. Shorter sentences would help you explain each stage more clearly.

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

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