Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)
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
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to describe the main features of the rain-shadow desert diagram, covering the overall process from the sea bed to the inland area. However, the information is presented in a somewhat confused and distorted manner. For instance, the writer states that the formation takes place at a 'sea bed' and that winds 'approache coast on the edge of mountain'. While the response highlights key stages such as moisture rising, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry air descending on the leeward side, the underdeveloped explanations and inaccurate reporting of certain visual details prevent it from achieving a higher band. Ideas are present, but the lack of clarity in interpreting the diagram restricts the score to a Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction and a conclusion. There is a basic attempt to sequence the stages chronologically using transition words such as 'Overall', 'subsequently', and 'In conclusion'. However, overall progression is hindered by awkward phrasing and confusing logical links, such as 'Although this highly intensive air pressure is quite cooler because it lies along the axis of mountain.' Furthermore, referencing is frequently unclear, and cohesive devices are sometimes inadequate or misused, as seen in 'follows the path of leeward side, therefore vesseled dry winds reaches on the layer of inland which build upon Rain-shadow desert'. Paragraphing is present, but internal cohesion is faulty, placing this response firmly at Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 4.5
The lexical range is limited and frequently strained by inappropriate word choices and collocations. Examples of awkward vocabulary include 'windside proposed the cooler moist air to plugged into the cloud', 'vesseled dry winds', and 'layer of inland'. There are also basic word formation and spelling errors, such as 'approache', 'uward', 'rinsing', and 'continously'. While the student attempts less common vocabulary related to the prompt, the inaccurate usage and frequent collocation errors cause considerable difficulty for the reader and obscure the precise meaning, aligning with the Band 4.0 or 5.0 descriptors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
The response displays a very limited range of sentence structures, and attempts at complex sentences are consistently faulty and grammatically unstable. There are frequent and intrusive errors in subject-verb agreement, tense usage, prepositions, and clause formation, such as '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.' Punctuation is also erratic, with missing capital letters and misplaced commas. Because errors are dense and frequently impede communication, the grammar matches the criteria for Band 4.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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