Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-26

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 above demonstrates the type of dessert which is called rain shadow.

Overall, it is evident that the process of rain-shadow desserts consist of seven stages beginning with the formation of approaching wind coast and ending with inland areas reached by dry winds.

At the beginning of the process, the winds approaching by the sea to the coast .Then, the approached by the coast had pushed the wind upwards. In the third formation, the air started to cools and risen of moist air. In the forth form, it reached to the side of windward and forming of clouds.

In the fifth form of formation, the rain began to falls and decline down. In the sixth form, over the mountain, the air still continues to dry and dropped at side of Leeward. Finally, after reached a thousands of kilometers of rain-shadow deserts, the dry winds had finally reached the inland areas and remained relatively.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response identifies the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation, but the description is often inaccurate or confusing. For example, the text mentions 'seven stages' which are not clearly defined or logically linked to the diagram. The explanation of the process is scientifically inaccurate in places, such as claiming the rain 'decline down' or that the air 'continues to dry' over the mountain. While the task is addressed, the information is not presented with the clarity or precision required for a higher band. The summary lacks a clear focus on the comparative aspects of the windward versus leeward sides.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is divided into paragraphs, which is a positive feature. However, the logical flow is weak. The use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused, such as 'In the third formation' and 'In the fifth form of formation', which do not accurately reflect the progression of a natural process. The referencing is sometimes unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of events. The transition between the stages feels disjointed, and the overall structure lacks the sophisticated linking required for higher bands.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and contains significant errors, such as the repeated misspelling of 'desert' as 'dessert' (a sweet dish). Other word choices are imprecise or unnatural, such as 'approached by the coast' and 'decline down'. There is little evidence of a range of vocabulary appropriate for describing a scientific process. The repetition of 'form' and 'formation' indicates a restricted lexical range. To improve, you should focus on learning topic-specific terminology related to geography and weather patterns, and ensure you check the spelling of basic terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. There are issues with verb tense consistency ('the air started to cools and risen'), subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure. Many sentences are awkward, such as 'the winds approaching by the sea to the coast'. The use of complex structures is attempted but is consistently inaccurate, leading to a lack of clarity. To reach a higher band, you need to focus on basic sentence construction, correct verb forms, and ensuring that your grammar does not distract the reader from the information being presented.

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

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