Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 12 · 2026-11-01

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 flowchart illustratres the production of electricity through geothermal energy.

In a cursory glance, Geothermal power plant consist of five major steps initiated from pumped down the cold water and ends up in generator where electricity is produced.

In the beginning, cold water is pumped down 4.5km to the injection well. The injection well transfers it to the hot rocks. This is now in Geothermal zone. Passing through hot rocks, the temperature of the water raised and then hot water is pumped up from the production well.

After that, the hot water is then stored in a condenser chamber where it is changed into steam. The steam is then passed to the turbine from a narrow pipe, powered by steam the turbine starts moving. When it starts rolling the electricity is produced in a generator. Generatos stores the electricity and is the main source of providing electricity to the polls.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You cover the main sequence from pumping cold water underground to generating electricity, and the 4.5 km depth is accurately reported. The account also identifies the geothermal zone, production well, condenser, steam and turbine, so the process is recognisable. However, the overview is brief and does not clearly summarise the key transformation: water is heated underground, brought back to the surface, converted to steam, and used to drive the turbine-generator. Some details are inaccurate or unclear: the water is not described as being “stored” in the condenser, and the generator does not store electricity; it produces it. The final reference to “polls” also misrepresents the transmission pylon. Clarifying these points and giving a more precise overview would strengthen the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows the process in a generally logical order, moving from the injection well through the geothermal zone and production well to the machinery. Paragraphing separates the introduction from the stages, and transitions such as “In the beginning” and “After that” help signal sequence. However, the progression becomes less clear in the final paragraph, where the condenser, steam, turbine and generator are described in a series of repetitive sentences beginning with “The…”. Some connections are also awkward, such as “This is now in Geothermal zone,” which makes the reference to the water unclear. Grouping the underground stages together and then explaining the surface equipment in a distinct paragraph, with clearer referencing, would make the organisation smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “injection well,” “production well,” “geothermal zone,” “condenser,” “steam” and “turbine,” which allows the reader to follow the subject. There are also attempts at more descriptive wording, such as “pumped down” and “passed to the turbine.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this diagram: water is “stored in a condenser chamber” rather than converted there, “starts rolling” is unsuitable for a turbine, and “polls” appears to mean “pylons.” “Illustratres” and “Generatos” are spelling errors, while “cursory glance” is an awkward phrase for introducing an overview. Aim for precise process verbs and check spelling and collocations so that the technical description remains clear.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple sentences and longer structures, including “Passing through hot rocks, the temperature of the water raised” and “When it starts rolling the electricity is produced in a generator.” The sequence is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors make parts less clear. For example, “the temperature of the water raised” needs a passive form (“is raised” or “rises”), and “Geothermal power plant consist” has a subject–verb agreement error and needs an article. The sentence beginning “powered by steam the turbine starts moving” also needs clearer punctuation and clause structure. Articles, verb forms and agreement should be checked consistently. Using accurate passive constructions for the process would help you describe the stages more reliably.

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