Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-13
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 illustrate the information about the formation of rain-shadow deserts by including various steps.
Overall, it is a long process which consist of seven steps to formed rain-shadow deserts. It starts from wind approach coast and ends with dry winds reach inland areas.
To begin with, the first and foremost point is wind approach coast which is above the sea. Secondly, it pushed winds in upwards direction. After that, when air reached to windward side it become moist, cool and rises. Later, it converted into clouds.
Following that, rain falls has started, However, on the top of the mountain air started dry in a continue manner. Lastly, the dry winds were reached in inlands areas in a lower directions. Moreover, this complete process started from one corner of the sea coast and ends in other corner of mountain where it makes rain-shadow desert.
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 summarize the main stages of rain-shadow desert formation shown in the diagram, beginning with the wind approaching the coast and ending with dry winds reaching inland areas. However, there are significant omissions and inaccuracies in reporting the key features. For instance, the text misses crucial details regarding the condensation of moisture, the creation of precipitation on the windward side, and the subsequent descent of dry air on the leeward side. Furthermore, the response is penalised because the length requirement of 150 words was not met, as the student's response contains only 144 words. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed, leading to a band score of 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay attempts to structure the information using paragraphing and basic sequencing devices, such as 'To begin with', 'Secondly', and 'Lastly'. However, the overall progression is somewhat mechanical and disjointed. Referencing and logical links between sentences are occasionally unclear, as seen in awkward transitions like 'when air reached to windward side it become moist, cool and rises.' Paragraphing is attempted, but individual paragraphs are very short and fail to develop coherent thematic groups of information. Cohesive devices are overused in a repetitive manner rather than applied flexibly, which restricts the text to a Band 5.0 for coherence and cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on simple terms such as 'wind', 'coast', 'air', and 'steps'. There are noticeable lexical errors and awkward collocations throughout the text, including 'wind approach coast', 'air started dry in a continue manner', and 'in a lower directions'. Attempts to use less common vocabulary, such as 'first and foremost', are sometimes unnatural or misused in this context. While the general topic is understandable, the limited range and frequent inaccuracies in word choice place this writing at a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The text displays a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying mostly on simple sentences with frequent structural errors. There are numerous tense and form inconsistencies, such as 'The diagram illustrate' instead of 'illustrates', 'consist of' instead of 'consists of', and 'to formed' instead of 'to form'. Complex sentence attempts are frequently faulty, demonstrated by phrases like 'when air reached to windward side it become moist, cool and rises.' Punctuation and subject-verb agreement errors occur regularly, which causes some difficulty for the reader and corresponds to a Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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