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 the formation of one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert. Overall, there are several different steps involved in the formation of desert and follow linear path. Under mountains there are Sea, Coast, and Inland are present moreover the area that the mountains cover are thousands of kilometers. there are two sides present in the mountains the WINDWARD SIDE and the LEEWARD SIDES. In the first step, winds start and approach the coast afterward winds pushes upward to the mountains. In 3rd step moist air rises and cooled and the cloud formation occur in 4th step. After cloud formation the rain falls start near the windward side. In leeward side there is no rain fall occur and moves to lowered side. In 6th step dry air continues over mountain. In the last step, dry winds reach inland areas where small particles are present in inland and rain-shadow desert are formed these they are free from rain.

In conclusion, the process involved several stages to form rain-shadow desert in which wind or dry area are present. Winds area are present in windward side whereas dry area are present in leeward side.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to summarise the diagram illustrating the formation of a rain-shadow desert, noting key features such as the windward and leeward sides, moist air rising, and the creation of a dry inland area. However, the overview is weak, and the reporting of specific steps is muddled with mechanical listing (e.g., 'In 3rd step... in 4th step... In 6th step'). Several details are vague or inaccurate relative to standard geographical processes shown in such diagrams (e.g., 'small particles are present in inland'). Overall, the task is addressed only partially, as the progression of meteorological events is not clearly or accurately synthesized, fitting the Band 5 descriptor.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response features basic paragraphing, splitting the text into a brief body and a conclusion. However, the logical progression is hindered by repetitive sequencing markers like 'In the first step...', 'In 3rd step...', 'in 4th step...', and 'In the last step...'. Cohesive devices are used mechanically and sometimes inaccurately (e.g., 'moreover the area that the mountains cover', 'and moves to lowered side'). Referencing is frequently unclear, such as the pronoun use in 'these they are free from rain' and 'where small particles are present in inland'. This lack of smooth progression and overuse of clumsy transition formulas aligns with Band 5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student demonstrates a limited range of vocabulary with noticeable repetition of basic terms like 'desert', 'wind', 'side', and 'area'. There are numerous word choice and collocation errors, such as 'winds start and approach', 'rain falls start', 'no rain fall occur', and 'lowered side'. Spelling and word formation are generally basic, and phrasing such as 'rain-shadow desert are formed these they are free from rain' shows restricted lexical control. While the topic is related, the lexical limitations and inaccuracies cause some difficulty for the reader, placing the response firmly at Band 5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentences, but grammatical control is weak throughout. There are frequent errors in verb tense, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions, such as 'formation of desert and follow linear path', 'Under mountains there are Sea, Coast, and Inland are present', 'moist air rises and cooled and the cloud formation occur', and 'dry winds reach inland areas where small particles are present'. Punctuation is also problematic, marked by run-on sentences and missing capitalization (e.g., 'there are two sides present...'). These persistent errors can cause difficulty for the reader, which is characteristic of Band 5.

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