Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · 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 4.0)

The diagram underneath exhibit how one types of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.

In summary, the formation of rain shadow deserts is start the winds approach coast forward the moist air rises and cools is ahead of clouds form to rain falls and onward the dry air continues over mountain and release the dry wind reach inland areas.

In the explanation, the formation of rain shadow deserts is starting sea up ward the mountains sea is produce the wind approach coast to forward the winds pushed upwards the windward side to make moist air and cools and make for cloud form . so, rain falls is down ward the leeward made the dry air continues over mountain and the in land of rain shadow desert to make for last dry winds reach inland areas.and the different are sea to rain shadow are thousand of kilometres are formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 4.5

The student attempts to describe the process of rain-shadow desert formation, identifying key stages such as winds approaching the coast, moist air rising, clouds forming, rain falling, and dry winds reaching inland areas. However, the response suffers from serious issues with clarity, comprehension, and expression. While the main features are touched upon, the sequence and relationship between the geographical elements (sea, coast, windward side, mountains, leeward side, and inland) are muddled and difficult to follow. The mention of 'thousand of kilometres' attempts to cover the scale, but overall, the task is only partially addressed due to confusing phrasing and a lack of clear, logical structure in reporting the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 4.0

The response is divided into three very short paragraphs, but the logical progression and coherence are severely compromised throughout. Cohesive devices are largely absent or misused, resulting in run-on sentences and impenetrable grammar (e.g., 'is start the winds approach coast forward the moist air rises'). Referencing is highly confusing, and transitions between sentences feel disjointed and mechanical. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal flow of ideas lacks the clear logical organisation required for higher bands, making the text extremely difficult for the reader to navigate.

Lexical Resource — Band 4.0

The vocabulary used is very basic, repetitive, and frequently incorrect in terms of word choice and collocation. Phrases like 'diagram underneath exhibit how one types of desert' and 'sea up ward the mountains sea is produce the wind' demonstrate a lack of control over standard lexical items. There are numerous word formation errors, such as 'up ward' and 'in land'. The range of vocabulary is severely limited and inadequate for discussing a scientific process, causing frequent strain and misunderstanding for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 3.5

Grammatical control is extremely weak throughout the response. There is an almost complete absence of correct sentence structures, with the writer relying on fragmented, run-on clauses linked incorrectly by verbs and prepositions (e.g., 'the formation of rain shadow deserts is start the winds approach coast'). Basic subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and word classes are constantly violated. Simple sentence forms are flawed, and any attempt at complex structures results in severe, frequent errors that heavily impede communication and distort meaning.

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