Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-14

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 shows the sequence of steps in rain-shadow deserts from winds at coast level to dry winds at inland level.

Overall, the process consists of 7 main stages, beginning with wind approach coast and ending with dry winds reach inland areas.

Initially, winds approach coast begins from sea then it arises upwards. The first step involves winds to move from coast to move upwards. Once winds approach coast is complete, winds pushed upwards takes place. Once winds pushed upwards is completed, Moist air rises and cools begins. The clouds are formed is then moved to the next stage, where rain falls occurs.

After rain falls, the process continues with dry air moving over mountain as it is called leeward side. Finally dry winds reach inland areas takes place, resulting in formation of rain-shadow desert

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to summarise the diagram of a rain-shadow desert, identifying a general overview and steps such as wind approaching the coast and dry winds reaching inland areas. However, the response has a significant issue with task completion because it falls short of the minimum length requirement, containing only 136 words instead of the required 150 words. Furthermore, the description of the process is mechanical, repetitive, and lacks detailed reporting of the key scientific stages, such as condensation, precipitation on the windward side, and the rain-shadow effect. Because the task is only partially addressed and the word count penalty applies, this warrants a band score of 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text is organised into paragraphs, including an introduction and an overview. However, the progression lacks sophistication and feels mechanical due to repetitive transitional phrases such as 'Once winds approach coast is complete' and 'Once winds pushed upwards is completed'. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, which disrupts the natural flow of the report. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of sentences in the body paragraph is disjointed. Overall, the organisation is somewhat basic and repetitive, earning a band score of 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student demonstrates a very limited and repetitive vocabulary range, frequently reusing words like 'winds', 'coast', 'moves', and 'process' throughout the text. There are noticeable lexical inaccuracies and awkward word choices, such as 'winds approach coast begins from sea then it arises upwards' and 'rain falls occurs'. These repetitive patterns and lack of precise geographical or meteorological terminology mean the vocabulary is only minimally adequate for the task, leading to a band score of 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout the response, such as 'the sequence of steps in rain-shadow deserts', 'winds pushed upwards takes place', and 'clouds are formed is then moved'. The frequent structural errors and clumsy passive/active voice transformations often make the sentences awkward to read, although communication is not completely obscured. 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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