Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-05

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The formation of rain-shadow deserts

Student answer (Band 5.0)

The diagram illustrates how rain-shadow desert are created.

Overall, the process consist of seven steps. It begin with moist winds approaching the coastline and finishing with the formation of rain-shadow desert.

Initially, it starts with the moist winds approaching the coastline and get forced upward by the mountain as the air rises it gradually cools down. After this the clouds are formed. It results in in subsequently falls on the windward side of the mountain. The remaining dry air continues over the mountain. Finally, dry winds reach the inland regions, resulting in the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, as it is significantly under-length at 98 words. While the student identifies the main stages of the process, the lack of length prevents a full, detailed description of the diagram. The summary is too brief to adequately cover all parts of the task, leading to an under-developed response. To improve, the student must expand on the description of each stage, providing more detail about the physical changes occurring at each point in the process, such as the specific impact of altitude on temperature and moisture levels.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response has a basic logical flow, moving from the start to the end of the process. However, the paragraphing is somewhat disjointed, and the use of cohesive devices is limited and occasionally mechanical (e.g., 'Initially', 'After this', 'Finally'). The connection between sentences is sometimes weak, making the progression feel abrupt. To improve, the student should use a wider variety of linking words and phrases to create smoother transitions between the stages of the process and ensure that each paragraph has a clear, unified focus.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally functional but limited, relying on simple terms like 'approaching', 'forced', and 'dry'. There are some inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing, such as 'it results in in subsequently falls', which is grammatically and lexically confusing. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to demonstrate the flexibility required for higher bands. To improve, the student should incorporate more precise, topic-specific terminology related to meteorology and geography, such as 'prevailing winds', 'precipitation', 'condensation', and 'arid conditions'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors that impede clarity, such as 'rain-shadow desert are created' (subject-verb agreement) and 'It begin' (verb tense). The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. The error 'It results in in subsequently falls' is particularly problematic as it disrupts the flow of information. To improve, the student needs to focus on subject-verb agreement, consistent verb tense usage, and the correct construction of complex sentences to describe cause-and-effect relationships more accurately.

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

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