Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-13

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 process chart illustrates the information about the formation of rain shadow in deserts in the given time period.

Overall, it can be clearly seen that process chart is complex if one step is missing rain could not fall on earth.

Now turning to the details, in first stage window flow on the direction of mountain from sea. After that, in the centre of mountain air became cool. In the fourth stage, water waves converted into clouds. Then, rain falls on mountains rapidly.

Moreover, in the sixth stage, water flow on earth crust then driving rich in land areas and water comes on earth crust. Further more, mountains Richa in kilometres it is extremely complex water cycle process if it stop rain could not fall on earth

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While the student attempts to describe the process, the explanation is fragmented and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the formation of a rain-shadow desert. Key features, such as the distinction between the windward and leeward sides of the mountain, are not clearly articulated. The summary is underdeveloped, and the inclusion of irrelevant commentary about the 'complexity' of the cycle rather than focusing on the visual data provided prevents a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks a clear logical progression. While there is an attempt to use transition words like 'Moreover' and 'Further more', they are used incorrectly or do not effectively link the ideas. The paragraphing is insufficient, and the overall structure is disjointed, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of the process. The referencing is often unclear, and the lack of cohesive devices to connect the stages of the diagram results in a mechanical and repetitive flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and often inaccurate. Phrases such as 'window flow' (likely meant 'wind flow') and 'water waves' (likely meant 'water vapor') demonstrate a limited range and poor collocation. The student struggles to use precise terminology relevant to the topic, such as 'leeward side' or 'precipitation'. There are also issues with word formation, such as 'Richa' instead of 'reach'. The range is inadequate for an academic task, and the errors occasionally impede the reader's understanding of the process.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that affect clarity. There are issues with subject-verb agreement ('rain could not fall'), incorrect tense usage, and awkward sentence construction ('mountains Richa in kilometres'). The range of structures is very limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences with errors in punctuation and capitalization. The lack of complex sentence structures and the persistent grammatical inaccuracies make the text difficult to read and demonstrate a lack of control over basic English grammar.

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

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