Band 4.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-25

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)

This diagram illustrates the process by which a rain shadow desert is formed , how moist of air rise and make cloud which bring rain falls and going downward to inland. Overall,this cycle is very useful for our nature as well as human beings to get rain water which help to survive in earth.

Now go for evaluting the whole process, wind approch have came with thousands of kilometres per sec in the sea and than winds pushed windward side of direction afterthat,its bring cool mositure in the air and clouds are produced in the sky . In some time the rain falls occur than the dry air goes to leeward side . when the dry winds rach in inland areas than generate the rain-shadow desert in the inland. In this comparision we able to know the full chain of generation rain-shadow desert in the inland.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

The response attempts to describe the stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, mentioning winds, clouds, rain, and the leeward side. However, the explanation is incomplete, confused, and fails to adequately cover all main features of the diagram. For example, the student writes about 'winds approch have came with thousands of kilometres per sec in the sea', which misinterprets the scale indicator and introduces inaccurate details. Furthermore, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 146 words. Because the ideas are underdeveloped and the word count requirement is not met, the response aligns best with Band 4.5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.0

The response exhibits basic mechanical organization with an introduction and a body section starting with 'Now go for evaluting the whole process'. However, paragraphing is poorly handled, and the progression of ideas is hindered by repetitive phrasing and weak logical connectors such as 'afterthat' and 'when the dry winds rach'. Cohesive devices are used inaccurately and repetitively, creating a choppy and disjointed flow. Referencing is frequently unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequential steps of the diagram. These characteristics reflect the descriptors for Band 4.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.0

The vocabulary used is very basic and often strained or inappropriate for an academic task. Examples of lexical errors and awkward phrasing include 'moist of air rise', 'rain falls', and 'generation rain-shadow desert'. There are also frequent spelling and word-form errors, such as 'approch', 'mositure', and 'rach'. The student attempts some less common terms like 'generation' and 'comparision', but these are used incorrectly. The lexical range is narrow and relies heavily on lifting words directly from the prompt. This level of vocabulary and control is consistent with Band 4.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0

Grammatical control is weak throughout the text. The response relies on simple sentences and attempts at complex structures that are consistently faulty and ungrammatical, such as 'how moist of air rise and make cloud which bring rain falls and going downward' and 'wind approch have came with thousands of kilometres per sec'. Punctuation is neglected or misused, and there are persistent errors in verb tenses, subject-verb agreement, and prepositions. These frequent and severe errors regularly impede communication and obscure the intended meaning, placing the response firmly at Band 4.0.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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