Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-11

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 data below illustrate that how one type of desert called rain shadow desert is convert. I remake some noticeable points and with relevant comparisons.

Firstly, as we can see from this data mountains are long as thousands of kilometres how it was started at first winds approach coast helping with sea and then winds pushed upwards as mountains formed. Moreover, after reaching certain level moist air rises and cool because lower temperature. Furthermore, clouds will get place and a group of it after top of the mountains clouds are started rain.

Secondly, after certainty of rain dry air continues over mountain with leeward side. On the other hand, dry winds reach inland areas and that was the end of giant area.

In conclusion, there was 7 step how rain shadow giant coveted. Moreover, the first phase of the mountain so difficult at some point time rain falls very badly and mountains get shrink after that.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the process of rain-shadow desert formation, but it fails to clearly explain the sequence of events depicted in the diagram. The description is fragmented and lacks a logical flow, making it difficult for the reader to follow the scientific process. Key features, such as the distinction between the windward and leeward sides of the mountain, are not clearly articulated. The conclusion introduces irrelevant information about '7 steps' and 'mountains getting shrink,' which is not supported by the provided diagram. Consequently, the response does not fully address the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, but the internal structure is weak. While transition words like 'Firstly,' 'Moreover,' and 'In conclusion' are used, they are often placed incorrectly or do not logically connect the ideas. For instance, the transition 'In conclusion' introduces new, inaccurate information rather than summarizing the main points. The referencing is often unclear, particularly in phrases like 'that was the end of giant area,' which makes it difficult to understand the relationship between the sentences. The progression of ideas is disjointed throughout the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and often imprecise. There are several instances of incorrect word choice, such as 'convert' instead of 'formed,' 'giant area' instead of 'region,' and 'get place' instead of 'form.' The student struggles to use technical or descriptive language appropriate for a process description. Some phrasing is awkward, such as 'rain falls very badly,' which does not convey the intended meaning of heavy precipitation. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to express the concepts clearly, and there is a reliance on basic, repetitive language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that impede communication. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('clouds are started rain'), tense usage ('how it was started'), and sentence structure ('The data below illustrate that how one type of desert... is convert'). Many sentences are poorly constructed, making them difficult to parse. While there is an attempt to use complex structures, they are consistently inaccurate. Punctuation is also inconsistent, and the overall control of grammar is weak, leading to a lack of clarity in the explanation of the process.

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