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 formation chart of rain shadow deserts illustrates how the rain shadow desert formed by the various steps.

Overall, The formation of desert occures following various seven steps starting from sea wind reaching coastline, climbing mountain, rain falls and then air downward movement forming rain shadow desert.

The process begins from winds blowing at surface of sea reaching the coastline pushing itself upward with mount at certain height air gets cool and moist at windward side of mountain where the formation of clouds happens then clouds reach at peak of the mountain and rain falls. These are the steps how winds form clouds and rain falls.

Moreover, Now after the rain falls the dry air continues to moving downward reaching at leeward side continuing to downward movement reaching to inland where rain shadow desert occuers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count of 150 words, containing only 135 words, which incurs a penalty on Task Achievement. While the student attempts to describe the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation—such as winds approaching the coast, rising over mountains, cooling to form clouds, and resulting in rain on the windward side followed by dry air moving to the leeward side—the coverage remains somewhat underdeveloped. Key labels from the diagram, such as 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'thousands of kilometres', are either partially addressed or missing from a more comprehensive overview. To achieve a higher band, the writer must ensure the word count requirement is met and provide a more fully developed, detailed summary of all key features shown in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text is organized into four paragraphs, including an introduction, an overview, and body paragraphs that attempt to follow the sequence of the diagram. However, the logical progression is hindered by repetitive phrasing and awkward transitions, such as 'Moreover, Now after the rain falls'. Paragraphing is attempted, but the connection between sentences is sometimes mechanical or faulty, as seen in run-on constructions like 'The process begins from winds blowing at surface of sea reaching the coastline pushing itself upward with mount at certain height air gets cool...'. Cohesive devices are overused or used inaccurately, which detracts from the overall flow and clarity of the writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with frequent reliance on simple words like 'formation', 'winds', 'rain', and 'deserts'. There are noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'occures' (spelling error for occurs), 'wind blowing at surface of sea', and 'air downward movement'. Less common lexical items are attempted but often misapplied or grammatically awkward. While the language is generally comprehensible, the restricted range and persistent errors place this criterion firmly in the lower-intermediate band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5

The response displays a very limited range of grammatical structures. Most sentences rely on simple or poorly linked clauses that lack control over punctuation and syntax. There are multiple run-on sentences and major grammatical errors, such as 'the rain shadow desert formed by the various steps' (passive voice misuse), 'occures following various seven steps' (preposition and spelling errors), and 'continuing to downward movement'. Punctuation is weak, with missing commas separating clauses and incorrect capitalisation in places (e.g., 'Overall, The formation...'). These frequent errors cause difficulty for the reader and reflect limited structural accuracy.

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

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