Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-07

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 flow chart illustrates the natural process of a ma rain-shadow desert.

The diagram illustrates the natural process of the creation of rain-shadow desert.

overall, the formation of rain-shadow desert consists of seven distinct phases to complete. the process of creating plarticular type of desert. Mainly wind is the key component in the whole procedure.

The wind by touching the coast hits the coast followed by heavy pressure moves up. Moisture in the air makes clouds in the intial stages. Clouds make it ha to rain and dry wind travels over the mountain to reach the grounds. When dry air enters the inland regions, it makes Rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

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 text is only 109 words, the description of the process is underdeveloped and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the stages shown in the diagram. While you identified the main feature—the role of wind—the explanation of the process is too brief and misses key comparative elements or specific details about the mountain's role in the rain-shadow effect. To improve, you must expand on each stage of the process, ensuring you describe the transition from moist air to dry air in greater detail.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response is organized into short paragraphs, but the logical flow is hindered by the lack of sufficient content. There is an attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'overall' and 'followed by', but the transitions between sentences feel mechanical and disjointed. The repetition of the introductory sentence in the first two paragraphs suggests a lack of careful planning and editing. To improve, focus on using a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'as a result', 'consequently') to connect the stages of the process more fluidly and ensure each paragraph contributes to a clear, logical progression.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You use basic terms like 'natural process', 'creation', and 'key component' throughout the text. There are also errors in word choice and phrasing, such as 'ma rain-shadow desert' and 'plarticular type'. The range of vocabulary is insufficient to demonstrate the flexibility required for higher bands. To improve, try to incorporate more precise, topic-specific terminology related to geography and meteorology, such as 'prevailing winds', 'precipitation', 'orographic lift', and 'arid conditions', rather than relying on general, everyday language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The grammar is characterized by frequent errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'The wind by touching the coast hits the coast followed by heavy pressure moves up' and 'Clouds make it ha to rain'. These sentences are structurally awkward and lack correct punctuation. There is a lack of complex sentence structures, and the simple sentences used often contain errors in word order or verb usage. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction and proofreading for subject-verb agreement and missing words. Aim to incorporate complex structures like relative clauses or conditional sentences to demonstrate a wider grammatical range.

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

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