Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-10-31

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 process illustrates that how electricity is being produced by using geothermal energy in total 5 steps.

Overall, The process starts from cold water where the pumped down area is about 4.5 km and ends with the 5th stage where the generator is powered by turbine and produces electricity.

At first stage the cold water is getting down under the ground and in the 2nd stage the injection well completed. After that the zone is geothermal area where hot rocks turned up through passing the 3rd step named the production well. After this hot water pumped up to the condenser.

Condenser is the 4th portion of the process which is established above the land. Steam produced and sent to the turbian. The turbine which is actually produced by steam and is the 5th level of the production where after turbine generator is being introduced. Generator is powered by turbine and where electricity is being produced. Finally, electricity transferred to the tower and then which is surved to the community people for enjoying the modern technological advancement.

AI examiner evaluation

CriterionBand
Task Achievement / Task Response6.0
Coherence and Cohesion6.0
Lexical Resource5.5
Grammatical Range and Accuracy5.0
Overall5.5

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response identifies the process as geothermal electricity production and gives a broad start-to-finish account, including the 4.5 km depth, the injection and production wells, steam, the turbine and generator. This covers the main stages, and the overview correctly indicates that electricity is produced at the end. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the geothermal zone does not itself turn up; rather, water is heated as it passes through the hot rocks, then rises through the production well. The final claim that electricity is supplied to community members is not shown in the diagram. To make the account more complete and precise, explain the water’s heating and the steam’s role in driving the turbine, while avoiding unsupported additions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction and overview are followed by descriptions of the underground stages and the equipment at the surface. Sequencing phrases such as “At first stage,” “After that,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. However, some links are mechanical, and the numbered stages are not always clearly distinguished from the process itself. For example, “in the 2nd stage the injection well completed” is difficult to connect to the preceding sentence, while “where after turbine generator is being introduced” makes the sequence unclear. Grouping the underground water movement into one paragraph and the surface conversion into another, with clearer references to each stage, would improve progression and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The response uses relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “condenser,” “steam,” and “turbine,” so the reader can identify the main components. It also attempts some variation with phrases such as “pumped down” and “pumped up.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, including “hot rocks turned up,” “the turbine which is actually produced by steam,” and “electricity transferred to the tower.” “Turbian” is also misspelled, and “surved” is not an appropriate form here. Use precise process verbs and standard technical terms—for example, say that water is heated, steam drives the turbine, and electricity is transmitted through power lines. This would make the description clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, some grammatical errors make relationships between stages unclear. The opening phrase “illustrates that how electricity is being produced” combines incompatible structures; use “illustrates how electricity is produced.” There are also problems with articles and sentence construction in “At first stage” and “in the 2nd stage the injection well completed.” Passive forms are attempted, but “hot water pumped up” and “electricity transferred” need an auxiliary verb, while “where after turbine generator is being introduced” is structurally awkward. Aim for complete, controlled clauses and consistent present simple or passive forms, such as “Hot water is pumped up to the condenser.”

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