Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-06

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 that how rain -shadow desert formed with the help of different procedure start with winds comes from sea and convert at the end of as Dry winds reach inland area.

Firstly, winds approach coast from sea and then goes upward and after this moist air rises and become cool. Clouds from this moist air and then all this collectively make a process of rain and rain comes. Dry air continues over the mountain and goes down towards leeward side and then these dry winds reach inland areas.

And convert into Rain -Shadow desert at the thousands of kilometers. This is all about the process how rain comes and form rain shadow with the help of different natural processes like how winds come from sea and how moist air form a cloud for rain in this every step have their important role. Most important role of a moist air .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main stages of the process, such as the wind approaching the coast, the formation of clouds, and the eventual creation of the rain-shadow desert. However, the description is somewhat superficial and lacks the precision expected for an Academic Task 1 report. For instance, the distinction between the 'windward' and 'leeward' sides is mentioned but not clearly explained in relation to the mountain's role. The summary is a bit repetitive, and the final paragraph adds little new information, focusing more on the importance of moist air rather than reporting the data presented in the diagram. To improve, ensure each stage is described with greater clarity and technical accuracy.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organised into three paragraphs, which is a reasonable structure. However, the logical progression is hindered by awkward phrasing and repetitive sentence structures. While some cohesive devices are used (e.g., 'Firstly', 'and then'), they are often applied mechanically. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the phrase 'all this collectively make a process', which lacks a clear antecedent. The flow between sentences is disjointed, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of the natural process smoothly. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring each sentence builds logically on the previous one would significantly enhance the coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and often repetitive. Phrases like 'make a process of rain' and 'all this collectively' are imprecise and do not reflect the academic tone required for this task. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'convert at the end of as Dry winds', which is confusing. The student relies on basic terminology and struggles to use more sophisticated or technical vocabulary related to geography or meteorology (e.g., 'precipitation', 'condensation', 'topography'). To reach a higher band, the student should focus on using more precise, topic-specific vocabulary and avoiding repetitive, informal phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'winds comes', 'moist air rises and become cool'), incorrect article usage, and awkward sentence construction. The range of structures is limited, consisting mostly of simple or poorly connected compound sentences. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the use of hyphens and capitalization. While the meaning is generally discernible, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on sentence structure, tense consistency, and basic subject-verb agreement is essential for improvement.

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

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