Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-17
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 creation of leeward deserts has a formation which starts with approach of wind and ends with where it reached . In this process there are thousands of kilometers to the destiny . In total 7 steps are included for the process , it is elaborated through a diagram .Basically it occurs on mountion side area.
As an overview it can be observed that it begans with aprroch of winds at sea cost and goes through several form of cooling in addition when rain occurs and ends with the inland region where dry breeze reach. The left side of mountin is called windward side and the right side is called leeward side.
The first step of format is that winds approach the coast and second step is it is pushed upwards then air moistures the wind and it rises and cools. In fourth step the clouds are formed and next step rain occurs on the top of mountain . In sixth step it continues over mountain . The final step is that dry winds reach at inland areas after completing a significant kilometers.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The student attempts to describe the seven-step process of rain-shadow desert formation shown in the diagram. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, mentioning the progression from coastal winds to inland dry areas and identifying the windward and leeward sides of the mountains. However, the task achievement is hindered by inaccuracies in describing the sequence and mechanics—for instance, stating that 'air moistures the wind' and that rain occurs 'on the top of mountain' rather than over the windward slopes. Furthermore, key features such as the horizontal scale ('thousands of kilometres') are awkwardly integrated. While all parts of the diagram are touched upon, the lack of precision and somewhat confused explanation of the scientific process place this response firmly in the band 5 range.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is divided into three brief paragraphs, which provides a basic structural framework. However, overall progression is weak and ideas do not flow smoothly. Cohesive devices are used mechanically and repetitively (e.g., 'In this process', 'As an overview', 'The first step', 'In fourth step', 'In sixth step', 'The final step'). Paragraphing is poorly handled, with the introductory and overview sentences overlapping and the main body steps compressed into a list-like recounting rather than a unified analytical report. Referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the opening sentence where pronouns and modifiers lack precise antecedents. This warrants a band 5 score for coherence and cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with several awkward collocations and word choices. Examples include 'creation of leeward deserts', 'approach of wind', 'thousands of kilometers to the destiny', and 'air moistures the wind'. Spelling errors ('mountion' instead of mountain, 'begans' instead of begins, 'aprroch' instead of approach) and morphological slips ('kilometers' modified by 'a significant') occur frequently. The range is minimally adequate for conveying the basic topic, but inaccurate word choices and frequent errors restrict the lexical score to band 5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('dry breeze reach'), missing articles ('starts with approach of wind'), and awkward relative clauses or noun phrases ('ends with where it reached', 'goes through several form of cooling'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with spacing around commas and periods. Although some simple sentences are formed correctly, the frequency of basic errors that cause occasional difficulty for the reader corresponds to a band 5.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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