Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-27

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 demonstrates how one type of desert called rain-shadow desert came into existence.the photograph illustrates the process. When the wind approaches coast. Coast is not at the surface level of land it resembles a mountain then from sea with passage of time the winds is gathered and pushed upwards to a mountain then the moist and cool air in the sky is eventually turned into clouds and the peak of mountain it rains this was all about the front side of coast however on the other side the air gets dry. Then the dry air reach the inland areas despite being close the sea the different between these types of deserts and land is thousands of kilometers. land still face soil erosion and as a result the land is turned into a desert.

This all happens because

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement. While you identify the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation, the explanation is incomplete and ends abruptly with an unfinished sentence. The description of the process is somewhat confusing, particularly the explanation of the wind and mountain interaction. To improve, ensure you fully describe each stage of the process shown in the diagram and provide a complete summary. The lack of a clear overview and the incomplete nature of the response prevent a higher score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response lacks logical progression and clear paragraphing. Ideas are presented in a disjointed manner, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of the formation process. There is a lack of cohesive devices to link sentences and ideas together; for example, the transition between the wind hitting the mountain and the resulting dry air is abrupt. The use of referencing is also unclear, particularly when referring to 'the coast' and 'the land'. To improve, use linking words such as 'subsequently', 'consequently', or 'on the other hand' to create a smoother flow between your ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You rely on basic terms like 'land', 'wind', and 'mountain' throughout the text. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'came into existence' to describe a natural process and 'the different between these types of deserts'. Some phrases are awkward, such as 'the winds is gathered'. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to use more precise, academic vocabulary related to geography and climate, such as 'moisture-laden air', 'precipitation', 'leeward side', and 'arid conditions'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede communication. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'the winds is gathered'), missing articles (e.g., 'approaches coast'), and incorrect sentence structure. Many sentences are simple, and there is a lack of complex sentence structures. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with some sentences lacking proper capitalization or ending abruptly. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring subjects and verbs agree, and using a wider variety of complex structures, such as relative clauses or passive voice, which are particularly useful for describing scientific processes.

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

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