Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-18

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 map illustrates the process of raining in a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, it can be clearly seen that this is a linear process of raining which has seven stages, which starts with winds come from sea, and ends with dry winds reach inland areas. It is a natural process.

Initially, winds came form the coast, subsequently, winds pushed upstream while it collide to the mountains. After that, the moist air cools down and rises. Thereafter, air transfer into cloud form following this, it is raining. Afterwords, dry air is keep coming down from the mountain continuously. Finally, dry winds are reaches the lower part.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While the response attempts to describe the process, it is underdeveloped and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the stages shown in the diagram. The summary is too brief, and the description of the process is superficial, missing key scientific details such as the distinction between the windward and leeward sides of the mountain. To improve, you must expand on the information provided in the diagram to ensure a comprehensive overview.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organized into short paragraphs, which is a positive start. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical due to the repetitive use of transition words like 'subsequently', 'thereafter', and 'afterwards'. While there is an attempt at logical sequencing, the lack of depth makes the overall flow feel disjointed. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the connection between the stages could be improved by using more varied cohesive devices to link the environmental changes more naturally.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You rely on basic terms like 'winds', 'air', and 'raining' throughout the text. There are also errors in word choice and form, such as 'air transfer into cloud form' and 'dry air is keep coming down'. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise, topic-specific vocabulary related to meteorology and geography, such as 'precipitation', 'moisture-laden', 'orographic lift', and 'arid'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'winds come from sea' (missing articles), 'winds came form the coast' (incorrect tense consistency), and 'dry winds are reaches' (incorrect verb form). The sentence structures are mostly simple, and there is a lack of complex sentence forms. To improve, focus on subject-verb agreement, consistent tense usage for describing processes, and the correct use of articles.

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

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