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 picture below illustrates how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.
Overall, the formation of rain-shadow of seven stages which start from wind approach coast are slightly onwards to dry winds reach inland regions and thousands of kilometers above the sea level.
To begin with, the sea contains wind pushed upwards, moist air climbs are slightly onwards to cloud form and rain fall with consist of windward side of the mountains. The distance by the coast towards the inland consist of thousands of kilometers on the rain- shadow desert.
On the other hands, the inland contains dry air continues over mountain and dry winds reach inland regions which are slightly downwards to the leeward side of the mountains. The distance by the sea towards the inland consist of thousands of kilometers on the rain- shadow desert.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0
The response attempts to describe the seven stages of rain-shadow desert formation shown in the diagram, but it falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement at 141 words, which incurs a penalty. While the student identifies several key steps such as winds approaching the coast, moist air rising, clouds forming, and dry winds reaching inland, the overview and body paragraphs are heavily confused and lack clarity. The description of spatial relationships is inaccurate in places, such as stating that thousands of kilometers are 'above the sea level' rather than horizontally across the terrain. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed, leading to a band score of 5.0.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0
The essay attempts to use paragraphing to separate the introduction, windward side processes, and leeward side processes. However, the logical progression is frequently disrupted by severe grammatical and lexical breakdown, making the sequence difficult to follow. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as 'To begin with', 'On the other hands', and repetitive phrasing like 'consist of thousands of kilometers on the rain- shadow desert'. Paragraphing is present, but overall progression is hindered by confusing sentence structures. This performance aligns with the Band 5 descriptor, where organisation is visible but progression lacks clarity.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is very limited and repetitive, with frequent lexical errors that often obscure meaning. Phrases like 'wind approach coast', 'cloud form', and 'rain fall' demonstrate basic word formation errors and a lack of control over grammatical conversion of nouns and verbs. The writer attempts less common process-related terms, but inaccurate word choice and repetition (such as repeating 'consist of thousands of kilometers on the rain- shadow desert' multiple times) result in strain for the reader. This fits the Band 5 profile, where vocabulary is minimally adequate for the task but contains noticeable errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 4.0
Grammatical control is weak throughout the response. The writer relies heavily on simple structures and attempts complex clauses that are frequently faulty and ungrammatical, such as 'which start from wind approach coast are slightly onwards to dry winds reach inland regions'. There are persistent errors in verb forms, prepositions, and clause integration (e.g., 'moist air climbs are slightly onwards to cloud form'). Although simple sentence elements can be understood, errors are very frequent and constantly impede communication, justifying a band score of 4.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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