Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-19
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 formation of a rain-shadow desert, showing how it came into existence.
Overall, I've seen this making process of desert is thousands of kilometres long. There are 7 steps are involved in the formation. This starts from sea and coast and ends in the formation of rain-covered bare land. This whole process depends on rain falls and air that flows.
In the first half part, the winds' approach to the coast and winds move upwards by force, and this air becomes moist, and it cools and converts into clouds on the windward side. Then rain starts falling on the top of the mountain. Rain falls on the mountains that cause the dry air formation of the other side.
After that starts the second part of the formation. Dry air continues to flow over the mountain from Leeward side down, and this reaches the inland area where there are rain-shadow deserts.
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 address the task by outlining the steps involved in the formation of a rain-shadow desert, noting the horizontal scale of thousands of kilometres and identifying the seven sequential steps from the sea to inland areas. However, the tone and style are inappropriate for an Academic Task 1 response, as the writer uses first-person pronouns and conversational remarks ('Overall, I've seen this making process...'). Furthermore, some descriptions are inaccurate or confusing, such as mentioning the formation of 'rain-covered bare land' instead of focusing purely on the desert, and stating that 'rain falls on the mountains that cause the dry air formation of the other side'. While the main features are touched upon, the lack of an objective, formal academic tone and minor inaccuracies pull the score down to Band 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The response is organized into three paragraphs, providing a basic progression from an introduction to the steps and concluding with the leeward side and inland areas. However, cohesion is heavily impacted by unnatural referencing and conversational transitions. Phrases like 'After that starts the second part of the formation' and 'In the first half part' feel mechanical and awkward. Paragraphing is attempted, but the grouping of ideas lacks sophistication. Referencing pronouns such as 'this' and 'it' are sometimes unclear or repetitive. Overall, the organizational structure shows some logic and arrangement, but cohesive devices are inadequate and mechanical, corresponding to a Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is generally basic and repetitive, with frequent awkward word choices and phrasing that do not meet academic standards. Examples include 'making process', 'rain-covered bare land', and 'winds' approach'. While the student attempts some less common terms related to the diagram such as 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'inland area', the lexical range remains limited. Word choice and collocation errors are noticeable, such as 'dry air formation of the other side', which occasionally causes ambiguity for the reader. These limitations place the lexical resource firmly at a Band 5.0 level.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but attempts at complex structures are frequently faulty. Examples of grammatical errors include 'There are 7 steps are involved', 'the winds' approach to the coast and winds move upwards', and 'Rain falls on the mountains that cause the dry air formation'. Punctuation and verb agreement issues recur throughout the text. While the basic meaning can usually be deciphered, the frequent errors cause difficulty for the reader and demonstrate weak control over grammar and sentence boundaries, reflecting a Band 5.0 performance.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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