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 diagram below illustrates how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed with the involvement of so much sophistication procedures .

Overall,the formation takes place at a sea bed where winds approache coast on the edge of mountain ,due to high pressure of air pushing winds into uward direction this may results in the formation of moist air rinsing. Although this highly intensive air pressure is quite cooler because it lies along the axis of mountain.

subsequently, windside proposed the cooler moist air to plugged into the cloud,formation of clouds lie at peak level which get later results into rain fall.

Accumulating water drops and dry air continously flow in a downward trend over the mountain, follows the path of leeward side, therefore vesseled dry winds reaches on the layer of inland which build upon Rain-shadow desert .

In conclusion,diversified steps are involved in the formation of wind approach to form a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the formation of a rain-shadow desert, noting key stages such as winds approaching the coast, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry air descending on the leeward side. However, the explanation is frequently hindered by confusing phrasing and scientific inaccuracies introduced in the text, such as mentioning a sea bed and high pressure pushing winds upward in a way that distorts the process shown in a typical geographical diagram. While the main features are touched upon, the lack of clarity and mechanical tracking of the visual information prevents the response from fully developing an accurate summary. Consequently, the performance aligns most closely with the Band 5 descriptors, where the task is addressed only partially and ideas remain underdeveloped or unclear.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text is organized into basic paragraphs, including an introduction, body, and conclusion, but the overall progression of ideas is frequently disrupted by awkward transitions and confusing sentence boundaries. Cohesive devices are attempted, as seen with markers like 'Overall', 'subsequently', and 'In conclusion', but their use is often mechanical or inaccurate, such as starting sentences with fragmented clauses. Referencing between ideas is sometimes unclear, particularly in the body paragraph where the description of wind movement and cloud formation jumps abruptly between clauses. While paragraphing is present, the lack of smooth logical transitions and consistent progression keeps the coherence score at Band 5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and contains notable inaccuracies that occasionally impede communication. The writer attempts some less common lexical items, such as 'sophistication procedures', 'vessel', and 'diversified steps', but these are used incorrectly in terms of collocation and word choice. For instance, 'so much sophistication procedures' and 'vesseled dry winds' demonstrate a lack of control over vocabulary. Frequent issues with word formation and form choices mean the range remains fairly basic and strained. Therefore, this performance fits the Band 5 descriptor, where the range is limited and noticeable errors cause difficulty for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but many of the complex attempts are faulty and structurally confused. Frequent grammatical errors occur, including incorrect prepositions, missing articles, and awkward verb forms, such as 'winds approache coast on the edge of mountain' and 'which get later results into rain fall'. Punctuation is also problematic, with incorrect comma placement disrupting clause structures. Because the attempts at complex sentences frequently result in ungrammatical constructions that obscure the intended meaning, the grammatical accuracy and range reflect a Band 5 level.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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