Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-15

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 illustrates the process of how rain shadow desert is formed. It starts with sea and ends with Inland. There are almost 7 steps to form rain shadow desert.

Overall, as the wind goes to windward side of mountain clouds are formed and in the middle of mountain rain starts falling. and then goes into leeward side.

The process starts at Sea. Wind approach coast to send air and after that as the winds get heavier winds are pushed upward direction towards mountain. As the wind goes to upward the moist air is rises and cools the temprature. Along the as the wind goes on the top of the mountain clouds are formed and rain starts at the top of the mountain.

Further, rain shadow goes down to and rain shadow desert is formed as the dry air continues towards the leeward side and finally dry winds reach inland areas and there rain shadow desert comes from the top to ground. This whole jouney contains thousands of kilometres.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student attempts to describe the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation shown in the diagram. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, mentioning the windward side, cloud formation, and the leeward side. However, the response lacks precision and contains several inaccuracies in reporting the visual data. For instance, the statement 'rain starts falling... in the middle of mountain' and 'rain starts at the top of the mountain' misrepresents the sequence where rain falls on the windward side. Furthermore, the description of the final stages is confused and difficult to follow, stating that 'rain shadow goes down... and rain shadow desert comes from the top to ground.' While the main parts of the diagram are touched upon, the lack of accurate reporting and underdeveloped overview limits the score to Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text is organized into four paragraphs, which provides a basic structural framework for an introductory paragraph, an overview, and body details. However, logical progression is frequently disrupted by awkward transitions and confusing references. For instance, transitional phrases like 'Further, rain shadow goes down to and rain shadow desert is formed' do not logically connect the ideas. Cohesive devices are used mechanically and sometimes inaccurately, such as the repetitive use of 'as the wind goes' and 'and then goes into'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal flow within paragraphs lacks smooth logical links, leading to a choppy reading experience. This places the response firmly at Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, relying heavily on terms lifted directly from the prompt, such as 'rain shadow desert', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'inland areas'. There are noticeable word choice and collocation errors throughout the text, such as 'Wind approach coast to send air' and 'this whole jouney contains thousands of kilometres'. The word 'jouney' also contains a spelling error. While the student attempts some less common vocabulary related to the topic, such as 'temperature' (misspelled as 'temprature') and 'moist air', the range is limited and inadequate for higher bands. Overall, the lexical control corresponds to a Band 5.0 level.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response displays a very limited range of sentence structures, relying mostly on simple sentences and basic complex forms that are often faulty. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with subject-verb agreement and prepositions, such as 'Wind approach coast' (should be 'Winds approach the coast') and 'the moist air is rises' (incorrect verb form). Punctuation and capitalization are also inconsistent, with missed capitalization at the start of sentences and misused commas. These errors frequently cause strain for the reader and reflect a weak command of grammatical structures, placing the performance at a Band 4.5, rounded to 5.0 based on positive achievement of basic clause formation.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.