Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-21
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 outline the stages of rain shadow deserts. how one desert convert rain-shadow deserts.
overall, it begin with moist air moving inland from sea and end with formation of dry deserts. It consist of seven stages main stages are wind pushed upward and rainfalls. in the last dry wind reach inland area.
In the first step wind approach cost at the sea level after this winds pushed upward direction. In the third step air is moist rises and cools and converted in cloud form. This process is located at windward side.
in the top left of mountains the rain fall has been started and air became dry over the mountain it direction is leeward side. IN the last dry wind reach at inland area and rain shadow desert were build. This process take thousands of 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 | 4.5 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, containing only 137 words. Regarding content, the student attempts to summarise the diagram, mentioning key stages such as moist air moving inland, clouds forming, rain falling on the windward side, and dry air creating a rain-shadow desert on the leeward side. However, the overview is rather fragmented and repetitive, and some descriptions lack precision. While the main features are touched upon, the lack of sufficient length and development pulls the task achievement score down.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The text attempts a logical progression, starting with an overview paragraph followed by details of the sequential steps. However, paragraphing is somewhat disjointed and basic. Cohesive devices are minimal and repetitive, relying heavily on phrases like 'In the first step', 'after this', and 'IN the last'. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as 'This process is located at windward side' and the abrupt shifts between sentences. Overall arrangement is evident, but cohesion is mechanical and rudimentary.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms specific to the diagram such as 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'rain-shadow desert', and 'inland area'. However, there are numerous lexical and spelling errors, such as 'outline' instead of 'outlines', 'convert' instead of 'converts', 'cost' instead of 'coast', and 'build' instead of 'built'. These errors show a limited range and occasional difficulty with word choice and form.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.5
The response features a mix of simple and attempted complex structures, but grammatical accuracy is consistently low. There are frequent errors in verb tense, subject-verb agreement, and sentence structure (e.g., 'The diagram outline', 'how one desert convert rain-shadow deserts', 'air is moist rises', and 'rain shadow desert were build'). Punctuation and capitalization are also erratic, with sentences beginning without capital letters. These frequent errors occasionally impede smooth reading.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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