Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

The diagram illustrates how one type of mountains. known as a rain- shadow desert, is formed.The formation of rain shadow divided into seven steps. And every step the mountains.

In first step, The winds approach coast start from Sea. Sea stand on Coast. Secondly, Winds pushed up wards move up from mountains. In Third step, Moist air rises and cools. And fourthly, Clouds from windward side . When four steps completed .

AND in five step, Rain falls on mountains. Next six step, Dry air continues over mountains and sleeps from nearly Leeward side. In the end , AND LAST steps, Dry winds reached inland areas. That all the steps one to seven step by step created rain from clouds . AND in the end dry winds drop into inland.

Overall, Winds reached on inland and thousands of kilometres way spend and mix into the inland. And sea coast winds reached to in land or Rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.0

The response attempts to describe the process of rain-shadow desert formation, but it fails to provide a clear or accurate summary of the main features. The description is fragmented and relies on a mechanical, step-by-step listing that lacks logical flow. Key scientific concepts, such as the windward and leeward sides, are mentioned but not explained in a way that demonstrates a clear understanding of the process. The overview provided at the end is confusing and does not effectively synthesize the information presented in the diagram. Consequently, the response does not fully address the requirements of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The organization of the text is poor. While there is an attempt to use sequencing words like 'In first step', 'Secondly', and 'In Third step', these are used inaccurately and do not create a logical progression. The paragraphing is disjointed, with some paragraphs consisting of only a few fragmented sentences. The use of cohesive devices is mechanical and often incorrect, such as the repetitive use of 'AND' and 'in the end'. The lack of clear referencing makes it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of events described in the diagram.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary is very limited and repetitive. The student relies on basic terms and struggles to use appropriate terminology for a process description. There are frequent errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'sleeps from nearly Leeward side' and 'thousands of kilometres way spend'. The vocabulary is insufficient to convey the technical nature of the diagram, and the frequent misuse of words often impedes the reader's understanding of the process being described.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that often distort the meaning. Sentence structures are mostly simple and often incomplete or ungrammatical, such as 'And every step the mountains.' and 'Clouds from windward side.' There is a lack of control over basic punctuation, capitalization, and verb tenses. The frequent misuse of articles and prepositions further complicates the text. The range of structures is very limited, and the high frequency of errors makes the writing difficult to read and understand.

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