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 pictorial diagram illustrates multi- steps geographical process that leads to a creations of rain- shadow deserts.

Overall, it is evident that one to five steps windward side. Moreover, following steps leeward side and desert formation.

To begin with, west side of the diagram, in the sea coast winds approach coast towards to land.The winds pushed upwards to the mountains through out to the moist rises and cools. Furthermore, moist air and cools form a clouds. Rain falls on the side of the mountains.

Followed by, the new dry air continues its journey over the peak of the mountain range. the dry winds drops down the leeward side of the mountains. the dry winds reach deep in the inland areas. The complete moisture prevents precipitation, resulting in the log term formation of a 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 ability to fully develop the description of the process. While the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation are identified, the explanation is somewhat superficial. The overview is underdeveloped and lacks a clear summary of the key stages. Because the response is under-length, it cannot fully address all parts of the task, leading to a lower score in this criterion. To improve, ensure that each stage of the process is described with sufficient detail and that the overview provides a comprehensive summary of the entire mechanism.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, but the logical progression is hindered by awkward phrasing and a lack of cohesive devices. Transitions such as 'To begin with' and 'Followed by' are used, but they often feel mechanical or are grammatically incorrect, such as 'Followed by, the new dry air...'. The referencing is sometimes unclear, and the connection between sentences is often disjointed. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'consequently', 'as a result') and ensure that each sentence flows naturally into the next to create a more cohesive narrative.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, with several errors in word choice and collocation. For example, 'multi- steps geographical process' and 'a creations of' are grammatically and lexically inaccurate. The student relies on basic terminology and struggles to use precise scientific language appropriate for a process description. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more topic-specific vocabulary related to meteorology and geography, such as 'moisture-laden', 'condensation', 'arid', and 'prevailing winds', while ensuring that words are used in their correct grammatical form.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including issues with articles ('a clouds'), subject-verb agreement ('winds drops'), and sentence structure ('The winds pushed upwards to the mountains through out to the moist rises and cools'). The range of structures is limited, consisting mostly of simple sentences with some errors in complex constructions. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after periods. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically ensuring that subjects and verbs agree and that articles are used correctly. Practising the use of complex sentences will also help improve your range.

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

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