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 .

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 summarise the main features of the rain-shadow desert diagram, covering the overall process from the sea bed winds to the leeward side inland. However, the explanation contains significant inaccuracies and misinterpretations of the visual data (for instance, stating that the formation takes place at a sea bed and mentioning high pressure pushing winds upward, whereas moisture typically rises due to relief or orographic lifting). While all parts of the process are mentioned, the lack of clarity and logical progression in reporting the features prevents it from reaching a higher band. It satisfies the basic requirements of the task, earning a solid Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text is organised into paragraphs, beginning with an introduction and concluding with a brief summary statement. However, the overall progression is difficult to follow due to awkward transitions and faulty cohesive devices. Words like 'subsequently' and 'therefore' are used, but their placement does not always create clear logical links between sentences. Referencing is also weak, such as 'which get later results into rain fall' and 'follows the path of leeward side', making the flow mechanical and sometimes confusing. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal logical structuring is inadequate for a Band 6, placing it firmly at Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with several unnatural word choices and collocations. Examples include 'winds approache coast', 'moist air rinsing', and 'vesseled dry winds'. There are also frequent issues with word forms, such as 'uward', 'continously', and 'diversified steps'. The range of vocabulary is barely adequate to describe the diagram, and inaccuracies in word choice occasionally cause confusion for the reader. This corresponds to the descriptors for Band 5.0, where noticeable errors in lexical selection are apparent.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but many of these attempts are heavily flawed and ungrammatical. For example, 'due to high pressure of air pushing winds into uward direction this may results in the formation of moist air rinsing' contains multiple errors in preposition use, verb forms, and punctuation. Punctuation is particularly problematic, featuring irregular comma splices like 'Overall,the formation takes place' and missing spaces after punctuation marks. Frequent errors in tense, agreement, and clause structuring cause difficulty for the reader, placing the grammar at a Band 4.5 level, rounded to 5.0.

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

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