Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-23
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 above image shows eight steps on how a rain-shadow desert is made from sea water and how they can travel over a thousands of kilometers to form a desert in inland.
Rain-shadow desert needs water which it gets from sea after getting water the wind approaches the coast and it push the sea's water upward and the air in the mountain is very high on speed which contains moist air and it settles down there , After going through windward side the water forms a big black cloud and afterwards the cloud starts to rain heavily over the mountains and the air presence in the mountain starts to become warmer and the air now sails hot air over the mountains.
Later onwards after passing dry air on leewards side the air becomes warmer and the air go by the inland area where they meet to form a rain-shadow desert.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to describe the process of rain-shadow desert formation, but it fails to effectively summarize the main features or provide a clear overview. The description is fragmented and lacks the necessary technical precision required for an Academic Task 1 report. While the student mentions the windward and leeward sides, the explanation of the process is confusing and does not accurately reflect the scientific progression shown in the diagram. The response lacks a clear introduction or a summary of the key stages, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of events. To improve, focus on identifying the distinct stages of the process and describing them in a logical, step-by-step manner.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is written as a single, dense paragraph, which hinders readability. There is a lack of logical progression between the stages of the process. While some cohesive devices are used, such as 'After' and 'Later onwards', they are often used incorrectly or in a way that creates awkward phrasing. The referencing is also unclear; for example, the phrase 'they meet to form a rain-shadow desert' is vague and does not clearly link back to the previous information. To improve, use clear paragraphing to separate the different stages of the process and employ a wider range of linking words to connect ideas more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. Words like 'water', 'air', and 'mountain' are used repeatedly, which makes the writing sound simplistic. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'air in the mountain is very high on speed' and 'air now sails hot air'. These inaccuracies occasionally impede the clarity of the explanation. To reach a higher band, you should aim to use more precise, subject-specific vocabulary related to meteorology and geography, such as 'moisture-laden', 'precipitation', 'arid', and 'prevailing winds'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response contains frequent grammatical errors that affect the flow and clarity of the text. There are issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'Rain-shadow desert needs'), incorrect preposition use, and awkward sentence structures. Many sentences are run-on or lack proper punctuation, making them difficult to parse. For instance, 'it push the sea's water upward' should be 'it pushes the sea water upward'. The range of grammatical structures is limited, relying mostly on simple sentences. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, including correct verb tenses and subject-verb agreement, before attempting more complex structures.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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