Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-22

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 given diagram illustrates the formation of rain-shadow deserts in mountain area,

Overall, the all process contain in 7 stages, From the sea level start with the winds approach coast upward goes and form windward side followed by rain falls and descend down to creat leaward side and finally make to rain-shadow deser in inland.

Loking at the detals, From sea level starting from winds approoach coast goes slightly to form winds pushed upwards and further sharply rose to convert moist air rises and cools will again upward to makeup cloud form after that reach to peak level rain falls and falling down finally to dry air contineous over mountain and agan drop number 7 process which is dry winds reach inland area to form rain-shadow desrts.

However, the whole seven procedure from start the winds approach coast to finally reach to made up dry wind reach inland area and form rain-shadow desert in inland.

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 identify or explain the key stages shown in the diagram. While it mentions the sea level and the inland area, the description of the process is fragmented and confusing. The summary lacks a clear logical flow, and the attempt to list '7 stages' is not effectively supported by the actual description provided. The information is presented in a way that makes it difficult for the reader to follow the scientific process, and the comparison between the windward and leeward sides is not clearly articulated.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks a clear structure. The paragraphs are poorly defined, and the progression of ideas is disjointed. Cohesive devices are either missing or misused, such as the repetitive use of 'From' and 'finally' without creating a smooth transition between sentences. The final paragraph is redundant, merely repeating information already stated, which indicates a lack of planning. The overall arrangement of information is not logical, making it difficult to follow the sequence of the process described in the diagram.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and contains several spelling errors, such as 'Loking', 'detals', 'approoach', 'desrts', and 'contineous'. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to describe a scientific process accurately. The student relies on basic, repetitive words and struggles to use appropriate terminology for geographical or meteorological concepts. There is little evidence of an attempt to use less common items, and the errors in word choice and spelling are frequent enough to occasionally impede the reader's understanding of the intended meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, including issues with subject-verb agreement, sentence fragments, and incorrect verb forms (e.g., 'the all process contain', 'winds pushed upwards and further sharply rose'). There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the simple sentences used are often poorly constructed. Punctuation is also problematic, with run-on sentences that lack necessary commas or conjunctions. These errors are persistent and significantly affect the clarity of the writing, keeping the score in the lower range.

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

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