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)
The diagram illustrate the process of seven stages that helped in a transformation of rai-shadow desert from a typical desert.
Overall, the process contain an important three stages. The first stage includes air approach, direction and cooling process. While the cloud form and rain falls in second stage and air's downhill journey in part three.
The winds passing above the sea level approach mountains. due to the mountains shape winds pushes it self in upward direction than at certain stage due to temperature change the wind absorbs moist and cools. In the second stage The moist and cooling process helps to transform cloud and as it cross windward side The clouds started poring water and rain occurs.
One of most critical part is in the third stage where the reason behind actual rains shadow desert creation. the dry air contains over the mountain and once it cross leeward side the journey is about to end once it reached ground. Where dry wind reach inland area and create rain-shadow desert at least thousands of kilometres away from the beginning stage.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to summarise the diagram illustrating the formation of a rain-shadow desert, identifying key features such as winds, mountains, clouds, rain, and the dry inland area. However, there are significant misinterpretations of the visual data. For instance, the student states that the diagram shows the transformation 'of rai-shadow desert from a typical desert,' which misunderstands the core process. Furthermore, the description of the stages contains inaccurate scientific details based on the prompt, such as claiming the wind absorbs moisture as it cools. While the main sequence is broadly outlined, the response would benefit from a more precise reporting of the physical stages and spatial relationships shown in the diagram.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is divided into four paragraphs, including an introduction and an overview. Logical organisation is attempted, but progression is frequently disrupted by awkward transitions and confusing sentence boundaries. For example, paragraphs start abruptly without clear cohesive links, and referencing is sometimes unclear, such as 'The process contain an important three stages.' Cohesive devices are used mechanically and sometimes incorrectly, leading to a choppy reading experience. Paragraphing is present, but the internal structuring of information within the body paragraphs lacks seamless flow.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with noticeable errors in word choice and morphology that occasionally impede communication. Examples include 'rai-shadow', 'air approach', 'winds pushes it self', and 'rains shadow desert creation'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary, such as 'transformation', 'temperature change', and 'inland areas', but these are undermined by frequent collocation errors and incorrect word forms (e.g., 'poring water' instead of 'pouring water'). The range is minimally adequate for the task, fitting the Band 5 descriptor.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar and punctuation is weak. There are frequent errors in verb tense, agreement, and prepositions throughout the text. Examples of grammatical errors include 'The diagram illustrate' (subject-verb agreement), 'winds pushes it self in upward direction than at certain stage' (run-on structure and punctuation errors), and 'the dry air contains over the mountain' (incorrect verb choice). These errors frequently cause difficulty for the reader and mean that error-free sentences are in the minority.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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