Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-09
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 process diagram illustrate the steps about the formation of rain-shadow deserts.
Overall, it can be seen that for the formation of rain-shadow deserts there are seven steps, the process begin form sea and ends in the inland. In this process the rain goes through thousands of kilometers.
Firstly, the winds approach in the sea and pushed upwards to mountain's windward side where moist air rises and cools; that after form clouds. At the top of the mountain rain falls.
After which, in the leeward side dry air continues over mountain. After this dry winds reach inland areas where finally the rain-shadow desert is formed.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
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 task. While you have identified the main stages of the process, the description is overly brief and lacks the necessary detail to provide a comprehensive summary. For instance, the explanation of the 'rain-shadow' effect is quite superficial. To improve, you must expand on the descriptions of each stage, ensuring you include all relevant information from the diagram, such as the specific moisture levels or the transition from the windward to the leeward side of the mountain.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organized into short paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'After which,' 'After this'). The progression of ideas is logical, but the lack of depth makes the overall flow feel disjointed. To achieve a higher band, try to vary your linking words and use more sophisticated referencing to connect the stages of the process more fluidly, rather than relying on simple chronological markers.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but remains quite basic. You have successfully used some topic-specific terms like 'windward,' 'leeward,' and 'moist air,' which is positive. However, there is a lack of range and precision. For example, 'pushed upwards' and 'rain falls' are functional but simple. To improve, aim to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe the movement of air and the meteorological changes occurring throughout the process.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
There are several grammatical errors throughout the text that affect the clarity of your writing. For example, 'The process diagram illustrate' should be 'illustrates' (subject-verb agreement), and 'the process begin form sea' contains errors in verb tense and preposition usage. Additionally, sentence structures are relatively simple. To improve, focus on correcting basic subject-verb agreement and prepositional errors, and attempt to incorporate a wider variety of complex sentence structures to demonstrate better control over your writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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