Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · 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 5.0)
The figure demonstrates that how one type of deserts is known as a rain-shadow deserts and how it is formed. There are seven steps about rain-shadow deserts.
Overall, it is clear that the given information illustrates the main features of rain-shadow, it starts with winds approach coast then in middle of this the clouds are formed and the last step is dry winds reach inland areas.
The first main feature is winds it approach the coast of the mountains, while winds pushed upwards to the mountains to creates moisture in the air it is rises and cools the windward side. On the other step the clouds are formed and it is starts raining on the top of the mountains.
By contrast, after raining the mountain countinues drying the air over the mountain. Furthermore, it is drops to the top of the leeward side and dry winds follow to reach the inland areas of the mountains, while it is ends with the rain-shadow in desert
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student addresses the main aspects of the diagram, successfully identifying the sequential steps in the formation of a rain-shadow desert, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. An overview is attempted in the second paragraph, mentioning the start and end points of the process. However, the response contains several mechanical restructurings of the prompt's labels ('how one type of deserts is known as a rain-shadow deserts') rather than a truly fluent summary of visual data. Furthermore, some relationships between geographical features are slightly confused, such as the statement that 'the mountain continues drying the air'. While all seven steps are touched upon, the lack of well-developed comparisons and imprecise reporting keep the response at a Band 5.5 level.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The text is organized into four paragraphs, providing a basic structure with an introduction, overview, and body paragraphs detailing the stages. Cohesive devices and transition markers are used, such as 'Overall', 'The first main feature', and 'By contrast'. However, referencing and logical progression are frequently faulty or mechanical, as seen in awkward transitions like 'On the other step' and 'Furthermore, it is drops to the top'. Paragraphing is also somewhat fragmented, with individual sentences forming standalone paragraphs that disrupt the flow. While the overarching progression is discernible, the heavy reliance on repetitive connectors and unclear pronoun referencing warrants a score of 5.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, heavily mirroring the prompt vocabulary ('rain-shadow deserts', 'winds approach coast', 'clouds are formed'). There are noticeable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'winds it approach the coast', 'countinues drying the air', and 'rain-shadow in desert'. Attempts to use less common vocabulary are unsuccessful or awkward. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the basic sequence of the diagram, the frequent lexical errors and lack of precision prevent the response from achieving a higher band, placing it firmly at Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('winds it approach', 'it is rises'), incorrect prepositions ('in the rain-shadow in desert'), and awkward relative clauses ('how one type of deserts is known as a rain-shadow deserts'). Run-on clauses and missing punctuation also hinder readability. Although the meaning can generally be extracted with some effort, the high frequency of basic and complex sentence errors results in a band score of 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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