Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-12
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 shown diagram illustrates how different types of desert, known as rain shadow desert is formed and changed.
Overall, the formation of the rain shadow desert undergoes many major steps. The flow of wind from the Sea coast starts to flow to every part of the mountain and experiences many unpredictable conditions. These contains the rise of the moist and cools the air, the production of clouds and the process of raining plays a very important role in the creation of the rain shadow desert.
The windward side and the leeward side creates a better path for the cold wind to pass over the mountain and pass down the mountain so that the wind reaches the Inland. This air dries up and end up at the bottom of the mountains.
This full process is done at the regions which is thousands of kilometers. Raining is the most essential step in this process.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to describe the formation of a rain-shadow desert, but it fails to cover the main features and stages accurately or fully. The student mentions that moist air rises, cools, and produces rain on the windward side, and that dry air reaches the leeward side and inland. However, the explanation is very vague and misses crucial geographical details from the diagram, such as the rain shadow area itself, the descent of dry air, and the temperature changes. Additionally, the opening statement claims the diagram shows 'different types of desert', which is an inaccurate reading of the prompt ('one type of desert'). Ideas are inadequately developed, leading to a band score of 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is divided into short paragraphs, but the overall logical progression is weak. While transitional phrases like 'Overall' and 'The windward side and the leeward side' are used, the logical connection between sentences is frequently disjointed. For instance, the transition from paragraph two to paragraph three feels abrupt and lacks clear sequencing of the physical processes shown in the diagram. Paragraphing is attempted, but some paragraphs consist of only single, disconnected sentences, such as 'This full process is done at the regions which is thousands of kilometers.' Referencing is also unclear in places, such as 'This contains the rise...'. Therefore, a band score of 5.0 is appropriate.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally basic and repetitive, with noticeable inaccuracies in word choice and phrasing. Examples of awkward collocation and expression include 'The shown diagram', 'The flow of wind from the Sea coast starts to flow', and 'the process of raining plays a very important role'. The student attempts some less common terms like 'unpredictable conditions', 'moist', and 'inland', but errors in word formation ('These contains', 'end up') and vocabulary choice limit the range. The lexical resource is minimally adequate for the task, fitting the descriptor for a band score of 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The response displays a limited range of structures with frequent grammatical and punctuation errors. There are issues with subject-verb agreement, such as 'These contains the rise of the moist and cools the air' and 'The windward side and the leeward side creates'. Prepositional and article usage errors are also present, such as 'from the Sea coast' and 'at the regions which is thousands of kilometers'. While some simple sentences are correct, attempts at complex or longer structures frequently result in faulty grammar that can cause some difficulty for the reader. This performance aligns with a band score of 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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