Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-24
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 picture illustrates how to formed rain shadow desert.
Oferall, the diagram has a process of rain shadow in desert .
Firstly, above the sea wind approach coast after that the winds goes upward.moreover,make air moist,rise and cool.Then formation of clouds and then rainfall are there.
In addition,fall water both side of mountain like; windword side and leaword side.
secondary after the rainfall the dry air cloudes continue over the However,Dry wind reach inlad area .In thousand of kilometres later a rain shadow desert was formed
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 4.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 4.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0
The response falls significantly short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 86 words. As a result, the task is only partially addressed, and the main features of the diagram are underdeveloped. While the student attempts to trace the sequence from winds approaching the coast to the formation of the rain-shadow desert, the description lacks detail and clarity. For example, phrases like 'fall water both side of mountain' misinterpret the process shown in the visual data. Because the word count requirement is not met, the score is severely capped in accordance with IELTS marking guidelines.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0
The text suffers from major organizational issues and a lack of proper paragraphing. While some transitional markers like 'Firstly', 'after that', and 'Then' are attempted, they are often used mechanically or incorrectly, such as 'secondary after the rainfall'. Ideas are strung together in a single block with broken sentence structures, making the overall progression difficult to follow. Referencing and cohesive devices are inadequate, leading to confusion regarding the sequence of stages in the formation of the rain-shadow desert.
Lexical Resource: Band 4.5
The vocabulary used is basic, highly repetitive, and frequently inaccurate. The student attempts some topic-specific terms from the prompt, such as 'windward side' (spelled 'windword') and 'leeward side' (spelled 'leaword'), but also makes severe word-choice errors like 'how to formed' and 'fall water'. Spelling mistakes are frequent, including 'Oferall' and 'inlad'. The lexical range is limited and minimally adequate for conveying simple ideas, but errors occasionally strain the reader's understanding.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0
Grammatical control is very weak throughout the response. The text contains numerous serious errors, including fragments, missing verbs, and incorrect verb forms, such as 'winds approach coast after that the winds goes upward' and 'a rain shadow desert was formed'. There is a lack of control over basic sentence structures, and complex structures are almost entirely absent or faultily constructed. Punctuation is also erratic. These frequent errors cause considerable difficulty for the reader.
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