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 given diagram illustrates one of deserts' type and its step by step procedure which helps in the formation of rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the whole formation process consists of 7 phases, each step plays vital role in turning a desert into rain-shadow desert. Firstly, it starts from one side of the desert where winds approches the shore, and pushed itself upwards. Due to sea water, air becomes dense as well as cool and moist, this phase supports strong clouds' formation which will be turning into dark water and ready to burst anytime results in rain fall. In second last step, dry air blows downwards on the other side of the mountain pushed down towards the area away from the coast and converts the desert into rain-shadow area. In summary, the whole concept of diagram to raise awareness among us that how the shoreline helps the other side of the desert which is away from it to be converted into rain desert

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to describe the seven steps of rain-shadow desert formation shown in the diagram, meeting the word count requirement with 161 words. However, there are significant inaccuracies in comprehension and misinterpretations of the process; for instance, the writer states that the process 'turns a desert into rain-shadow desert' and discusses 'turning into dark water', which misrepresents the visual data showing how a rain-shadow desert is formed from moist air and mountain ranges. The overview is overly simplistic and contains inaccurate conclusions about the diagram's purpose ('to raise awareness'). While the main features are touched upon in a sequential manner, the lack of accurate reporting and misunderstanding of the core geographical concepts restrict this criterion to a Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response shows some basic structural organisation, attempting an introduction, body, and concluding summary. Cohesive devices are used to signal sequence, such as 'Firstly' and 'In second last step'. However, the progression is sometimes difficult to follow due to awkward phrasing and grammatical interruptions. Paragraphing is rudimentary, with the body of the essay compressed into a single dense paragraph that lacks clear division between the different stages of the process. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as 'the whole concept of diagram to raise awareness among us that how the shoreline helps the other side of the desert'. Cohesion is therefore mechanical and faulty in places, aligning with Band 5.0 descriptors.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is relatively basic and repetitive, with noticeable errors in word choice and collocation. Examples include 'deserts' type', 'step by step procedure', and 'ready to burst anytime results in rain fall'. There are also awkward lexical choices such as 'second last step' and 'rain desert' instead of rain-shadow desert. While the student attempts some less common terms like 'approches', 'dense', and 'precipitation-related' concepts, the execution is marred by incorrect spelling ('approches') and unnatural collocations ('strong clouds' formation'). The lexical range is minimally adequate for the task, but frequent inaccuracies place it firmly at Band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates a limited range of sentence structures, relying heavily on simple clauses strung together with conjunctions or relative pronouns. Attempts at complex sentences often result in grammatical errors, such as missing prepositions or articles ('one of deserts' type', 'the whole concept of diagram to raise awareness... that how the shoreline helps'). There are punctuation errors and run-on sentences, notably in the long middle sentence beginning with 'Due to sea water...'. Frequent grammatical errors cause some difficulty for the reader and obscure the precise mechanics of the process being described, reflecting the characteristics of Band 5.0.

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

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