Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-15

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 describe the formation of one type of desert called as a rain shadow and discuss the every step involved in the procedure .

Overall, the picture shows a natural process. The diagram describe how the rain shadow desert is formed from the sea coast . The diagram shows the every natural process procced in the procedure.

The diagram shows that the procedure starts from the sea coast . When the wind passed over from the sea the wind become heavy and moisture

due to water . When the wind become moist it pushed upward and converted into the cloud form After this the the diagram show the procedure of rain fall . After this the wind become dry and continues to moves downwards from the height of the mountain . when the dry wind become near the Earth surface or curst it move over the surface

and rain shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response addresses the task by describing the process of rain-shadow desert formation. However, the overview is repetitive and lacks a clear summary of the main features. The description of the process is somewhat simplistic and relies on basic observation rather than a more analytical summary of the stages. While all parts of the diagram are mentioned, the explanation of the scientific mechanism is underdeveloped. To improve, focus on synthesizing the information into a more cohesive narrative rather than listing steps, and ensure the overview highlights the key transition from moist air to dry, descending air.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is mechanical and repetitive. The use of cohesive devices is limited and often redundant, such as the frequent repetition of 'The diagram shows' and 'After this'. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the flow between sentences feels disjointed. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and transition phrases (e.g., 'subsequently', 'as a result', 'consequently') to connect the stages of the process more naturally and reduce the reliance on repetitive sentence starters.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, often relying on basic terms like 'procedure', 'natural process', and 'thing'. There are several instances of word-choice errors, such as 'converted into the cloud form' instead of 'condenses into clouds' and 'curst' instead of 'crust'. The range is insufficient to convey the process with precision. To improve, incorporate more topic-specific terminology related to meteorology and geography, such as 'prevailing winds', 'condensation', 'precipitation', and 'arid conditions', while avoiding the constant repetition of simple verbs.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('The diagram describe', 'wind become'), incorrect verb tenses, and awkward phrasing ('continues to moves'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before periods and commas. While the meaning is generally understandable, the lack of control over basic sentence structures and the absence of complex grammatical forms limit the score. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and refining sentence construction to ensure accuracy before attempting more complex structures.

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