Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-28
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)
This picture is about the formation of rain shadow dessert. Alongwith, It also showing rainfall process.
Overall, the process include subsquential stpes, Starting from moist air moving from the sea to the land. As we know land is above from the sea so windward side of land push moist air for moving upward side.At the top moist air becom dry and reach to the inland moving toward the leeward side of land.
Rain fall process start from the sea wind that pushed upward to the mountain by windward side of mountain. Moist wind become cooler as it moves upward. Later, the same air make cloud form as a result it rain. After rain, the same air become dry due to continuosly flowing on the top of mountain and passing by the leeward side of mountain reaches to the inland. Rain already dry there for it does not rain in dessert.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to describe the formation of rain-shadow deserts based on the provided diagram. However, the response suffers from significant inaccuracies in interpreting the visual data. For instance, the text claims that 'at the top moist air becom dry' and that 'rain already dry there for it does not rain in dessert', which misrepresents the meteorological process shown in the diagram where dry air crosses the mountain to the leeward side. While the overall stages from the sea to the inland area are mentioned, the lack of accurate reporting on how moisture is dropped on the windward side prior to the desert formation results in a partially developed response. The word count minimum of 150 words is technically met (at exactly 150 words), but the depth of information reported is limited, leading to a Band 5 score for Task Achievement.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response shows some organisation by attempting an overview paragraph followed by details, but progression is hindered by repetitive phrasing and poor logical linking. Phrases like 'the same air' are overused ('the same air make cloud form', 'the same air become dry'), creating a mechanical and circular flow rather than a smooth progression of a linear process. Paragraphing is rudimentary, with the body text clumped together rather than clearly demarcated into distinct stages of the cycle (such as the ascent on the windward side versus the descent on the leeward side). Transitional devices are sparse and basic, such as 'Alongwith' and 'Later'. Cohesive relationships between sentences are frequently unclear. This overall structure and cohesion aligns best with a Band 5 level.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and limited, with several spelling errors ('dessert' instead of 'desert', 'Alongwith', 'subsquential', 'stpes', 'becom', 'continuosly'). The student attempts some topic-specific vocabulary such as 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'inland', showing a minimal adequacy for the task. However, precision is lacking, and word choice errors (e.g., 'rain already dry there for it does not rain in dessert') cause confusion for the reader and impede clear communication. Because the range is narrow and persistent lexical errors interfere with clarity, a Band 5 is appropriate.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The response features a very limited range of grammatical structures, relying heavily on simple sentences and faulty attempts at complex forms. There are numerous grammatical and punctuation errors throughout, including missing articles ('from the sea to land'), incorrect verb forms ('It also showing', 'moist air becom dry'), and poor punctuation (missing spaces after periods, comma splices like 'Alongwith, It also showing'). Subject-verb agreement errors are also present ('windward side of land push'). The high frequency of basic structural errors restricts the response to a Band 5, as complex sentences are often flawed and impede readability.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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