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)
The diagram outline the process of how the rain-shadow deserts formed from the winds that are moving upwards.
Overall, the wind started approaching the coastlevel after this wind started flowing in upwards direction toward mountains and after reaching at some point winds started cooling and making clouds and after that the rain fall on the top of the mountains and from that the dry air comes downwards from the mountain towards the plain area and after that the dry air reach the ground level so that makes the rain-shadow desert.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0
The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the score. Because the response is only 90 words, the information is severely underdeveloped. While the student identifies the basic stages of the process, such as the wind moving upwards and the formation of rain, the description lacks the necessary detail and comparative analysis required for an Academic Task 1 response. The summary is too brief to fully cover the key features of the diagram, resulting in a failure to address all parts of the task effectively.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is written as a single, long, run-on sentence in the second paragraph, which makes it difficult to follow. There is a lack of logical paragraphing, and the use of cohesive devices is repetitive and mechanical. Phrases like 'after that' and 'and from that' are used excessively to link ideas, which creates a monotonous flow. The lack of clear transitions between the stages of the process hinders the overall coherence of the report.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. The student relies on basic terms such as 'wind', 'mountains', and 'air' throughout the text. There is little attempt to use more precise or academic vocabulary related to meteorological processes or geographical features. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of variety and the inability to use more sophisticated terminology prevents the response from reaching a higher band score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The grammar is characterized by frequent errors, particularly in verb tense and sentence structure. For example, 'The diagram outline' should be 'The diagram outlines', and 'rain-shadow deserts formed' should be 'rain-shadow deserts are formed'. The reliance on a single, long, poorly punctuated sentence in the second paragraph demonstrates a lack of control over complex sentence structures. There are also issues with article usage and prepositional phrases, such as 'reaching at some point', which should be 'reaching a certain point'.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.