Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-26

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 diagram displays how one kind of desert, called rain shadow is formed.

The process of formation initially begins with two sides, one is known as Windward and the other one is called leeward side, both sides separated by mountains.

Initially, the breezes from Windward sides reaches coastline of sea, pushes upwards towards the mountains, the moist air rises and cools that leads to the formation of clouds, then it is starts raining on the top of the mountains.The top of mountains are where Windward sides ended and the leaward sides begins, the dry air that continues blowing over mountains moves downward direction of leaward sides, after reaching the inland areas, the formation process ended and rain shadow desert formed there.

In precise the Windward sides moist winds after the reaching the top of mountains, turning into dry air and forming the rain shadow desert and the whole process is divided by the mountains un center.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

The student covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation diagram, moving from the winds approaching the coast to the creation of the desert inland. Key features such as the windward side, mountain range, leeward side, and precipitation are mentioned. However, the structure of the response is somewhat confused by treating the sides of the mountain as the starting components of the process rather than geographic zones. While an overview is attempted at the end of the text, it lacks clarity and precision. Overall, the task is addressed, but the development and selection of information could be more logically organized to satisfy higher band requirements.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response is divided into a short introduction and a couple of lengthy paragraphs that combine multiple stages of the process. Cohesive devices are used, but they are often repetitive or awkward, such as starting multiple sentences with 'Initially' or 'The top of mountains are where Windward sides ended'. Paragraphing is inadequate, as the entire core explanation is crammed into one dense block of text, making the logical progression difficult to follow. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, which disrupts the flow of the descriptive process.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student attempts some subject-specific vocabulary related to the diagram, such as 'windward', 'leeward', 'moist air', and 'rain shadow desert'. However, there are numerous lexical errors and awkward word choices, including 'breezes from Windward sides reaches', 'it is starts raining', and 'in center' instead of 'in the center'. The range of vocabulary is limited and repetitive, which impacts the precision expected in an academic task response.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('breezes... reaches'), tense inconsistencies ('it is starts raining'), and incorrect prepositions ('in downward direction'). Run-on sentences are also present, particularly in the main body paragraph where multiple clauses are joined improperly with commas. These frequent errors occasionally impede communication and reduce the readability of the text.

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

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