Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-20

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 shows various the various steps in the formation of rain shadow deserts with in the range of thousands of killometres.

In the first step the winds approaches the coasts then the winds hitting the windward side of the mountains. After that the winds moves upward then the air caries moister from the sea and cools after moving upwards. In the next step winds converted into the clouds form and then reaches on the top of the hills there the clouds rain falls down on the mountains then the clouds dry and moving downward over the mountain in leeward side. In the last step the dry wind s reach inland areas and the inland areas called the rain shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. While the main features of the diagram are identified, the description lacks the depth and detail required for a full analysis. The explanation of the process is somewhat superficial, and the comparison between the windward and leeward sides could be more clearly articulated. Because the response is under-length, it does not fully develop the information provided in the diagram, leading to a lower score for task achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into two short paragraphs, which is a basic structure. While there is a logical progression from the sea to the inland areas, the use of cohesive devices is repetitive and mechanical (e.g., 'In the first step', 'In the next step', 'In the last step'). The flow between sentences is occasionally disjointed, and the lack of varied linking words makes the writing feel somewhat simplistic. Improving the use of transition signals and ensuring smoother connections between ideas would enhance the overall coherence of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'winds', 'clouds', and 'mountains'. There are several spelling errors, such as 'killometres', 'caries', and 'moister', which indicate a lack of control over basic vocabulary. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to describe the scientific process depicted in the diagram with precision. To improve, you should focus on using more academic and subject-specific terminology related to geography and weather patterns, and pay closer attention to spelling accuracy.

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 approaches', 'winds moves'), incorrect verb forms (e.g., 'winds converted'), and awkward phrasing (e.g., 'the inland areas called the rain shadow desert'). The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with few attempts at complex sentences. The punctuation is also inconsistent. To reach a higher band, you need to work on basic sentence construction, verb tense consistency, and reducing the frequency of errors in simple structures.

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

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