Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-27
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 4.5)
The given diagram illustrstes the formation of rain shadow desert , on type of desert.
overall, the formation of rain - shadow desert contain 7 steps moreover it have the two movements windward side and leeward side . furthersmore, for formation of rain - shadow desert there are some circumstaces also such as there should be sea moreover mountain should be thousad of kilometers long .
The formation of rain- shadow contains 7 steps which begins with wind approach coast where the winds started moving towards the mountain in upwards direction after air enters in high altitude it creates moist air rises and cool which lead to clouds formation after that rain falls this upward trend is known as windraw side . by the assist of leeward side it carrys dry air towards down side at the last dry air reaches to the inland areas and form the rain - shadow desert .
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 4.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 4.0 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to address all parts of the task by outlining the stages shown in the diagram, such as 'winds approach coast', 'moist air rises and cools', and 'rain falls'. However, there are significant omissions and misinterpretations of the visual data. For example, the writer describes the leeward side as an instrument that 'carry's dry air towards down side' rather than recognising it as the geographical side of the mountain. Additionally, the overview contains vague and inaccurate statements like 'contain 7 steps moreover it have the two movements windward side and leeward side'. While the main features are touched upon, the lack of precision and underdeveloped overview pull this criterion down to Band 5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response shows some basic organisation, dividing the text into an introduction, an overview, and a body paragraph. However, there is no clear overall progression, and the paragraphing is somewhat erratic. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or repetitively, such as the excessive use of 'moreover', 'furthermore', and run-on sentences connected with coordinating conjunctions rather than appropriate punctuation. The referencing within sentences is frequently unclear, making the flow difficult to follow. For instance, sentences like 'after air enters in high altitude it creates moist air rises and cool which lead to clouds formation' lack proper clause separation and logical sequencing, placing this response at Band 4.5, rounded to Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 4.0
The lexical resource is quite limited and repetitive. The student uses basic vocabulary such as 'steps', 'moves', 'air', and 'mountain' repeatedly. There are also numerous spelling and word formation errors throughout the text, including 'illustrstes' for illustrates, 'on type' for one type, 'circumstaces' for circumstances, 'thousad' for thousand, and 'windraw' for windward. Attempts to use less common vocabulary are unsuccessful due to poor word choice and inaccurate collocation. Because these errors and the restricted range cause some difficulty for the reader, the performance aligns best with Band 4.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0
The response displays a very limited range of grammatical structures. Most sentences are simple or attempt complex structures that result in severe run-on errors, missing punctuation, and incorrect verb forms. For example, the sentence 'The formation of rain- shadow contains 7 steps which begins with wind approach coast where the winds started moving towards the mountain in upwards direction after air enters in high altitude it creates moist air rises and cool which lead to clouds formation after that rain falls this upward trend is known as windraw side' is a single, massive run-on sentence devoid of correct terminal punctuation. Frequent grammatical errors distort meaning and make comprehension challenging, justifying a Band 4.0.
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