Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-03

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)

After examining the diagram and noticing all the points I came to a result that in the first step the winds approach the coast and the wind was pushed upwards of the mountain and the most of the air rises and cools to the top of the mountain and in the mid there are clouds been formed and when it goes more higher the rain falls and the dry air continues over the mountain and come down the mountain and the dry wind further reaches the inland areas. The Side from which the wind rises up is called the Windward Side and the other side where the wind lowers down is called the Leeward Side. Both of these sides play an important role in formation of the clouds and all the formation of raining.

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 task achievement score. While the student identifies the main stages of the rain-shadow process, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks the analytical depth required for an Academic Task 1 response. The summary is overly focused on a narrative sequence rather than highlighting the key features and comparisons between the windward and leeward sides effectively. To improve, the student should ensure they reach the word count and provide a more structured overview that clearly contrasts the two sides of the mountain.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is written as a single paragraph, which lacks the logical structure expected in an IELTS report. There is a lack of cohesive devices to link the stages of the process; the text relies heavily on 'and' as a connector, making the flow feel mechanical and repetitive. While the information is presented in a chronological order, the lack of paragraphing and limited use of transition words hinder the overall coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is basic and repetitive, often relying on simple verbs like 'pushed', 'goes', and 'lowers'. There is little attempt to use more precise, academic terminology related to geography or meteorology, such as 'moisture-laden', 'precipitation', or 'arid'. Phrases like 'all the formation of raining' are awkward and unnatural. To achieve a higher band, the student should incorporate more topic-specific vocabulary and avoid repeating simple words throughout the text.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains several grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses and article usage. For example, 'the wind was pushed' (should be present tense 'is pushed') and 'more higher' (a double comparative error). The sentence structures are predominantly simple or compound, lacking the complex sentence forms required for higher bands. There are also issues with punctuation and phrasing, such as 'all the formation of raining', which makes the writing feel unpolished and occasionally difficult to follow.

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

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