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)

this process diagram gives information about one type of desert and how it become as a rain shadow desert from the sea coast in seven steps.

Overall, Sea winds approach coast from the Windward side of the Mountains and after cross leeward side and downfall inland its all about the formation of rai

Winds approach coast from the sea and winds pushed upwards to Mountains windward side until moist air rises and cools.However , it change into clouds form or starts Rain falls at peak of the mountains.

The coast where the proces starts it thousands of kilometres away from rain shadow desert , Moreover, after raining it dry air continues falldown over mountain from the leeward side and this process contiuesly working untill all dry winds reach inland areas . It takes a very seven types of processs to reach Inland and make A rain shadow desert .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to summarise the diagram illustrating the formation of a rain-shadow desert, identifying key stages such as sea winds, moist air rising, clouds forming, rain falling on the mountain peaks, and dry air descending on the leeward side. However, the explanation is disjointed and struggles to convey a clear, logical overview of the entire process. Furthermore, the response is 149 words long, falling slightly short of the mandatory 150-word minimum requirement. This negative constraint violation leads to a minor penalty under Task Achievement. While the main features are touched upon, they are not fully developed or coherently synthesised, aligning with the Band 5 descriptors.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The writing is divided into brief paragraphs, but the overall organisation lacks a clear progression. The introduction and body paragraphs feature abrupt transitions, and referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'its all about the formation of rai'. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or repetitively (e.g., 'However , it change into...', 'Moreover, after raining it dry air...'). Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal cohesion within paragraphs is frequently faulty. These features place the response firmly at Band 5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is basic and repetitive, with frequent inaccuracies in word choice and collocation. Examples include 'downfall inland', 'processs', 'falldown', and 'contiuesly working'. While the student attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary such as 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'moist air', numerous spelling errors ('processs', 'contiuesly') and awkward formulations ('it take a very seven types of processs') restrict the lexical range to a minimally adequate level, reflecting Band 5 descriptors.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response displays a very limited range of grammatical structures. Simple sentences dominate, and attempts at complex structures are consistently flawed, resulting in major grammatical and punctuation errors. Examples of errors include subject-verb agreement issues ('how it become', 'it change into'), tense confusion ('it dry air continues falldown'), and run-on sentences lacking appropriate punctuation. These frequent errors cause considerable difficulty for the reader and impede smooth comprehension, corresponding to Band 4.5, rounded to 5.0.

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

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