Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-29

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)

Given is a diagram illustrating the process formation of rain shadow deserts it is evident from the information provided that there are seven formation phases involved

Prior to actual formation winds coming from the sea approches the coast of mountains where the mountains is widely spreaded into thousand of kilometers with very high altitude from sea level so due to high altitude the winds pushed towards inclined direction which also known as windward side of mountains where observing to the third phase in figure moisture is present in the air and temperature is very freezing at this certain altitude and after passing through this phase the winds will carry good amount of moisture which creates clouds forms and approaches at the edge of the mountains.

Now the sixth phase beigns where the wind followed in leeward side where Dry air sharply drops and continues over mountain in last phase of the process wind reaches at the bottom of inland areas and forms the rain shadow desert so a glance at the diagram describe this process very crystal clear that's how the formation of rain shadow dessert carried out

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to summarise the seven-stage process of rain-shadow desert formation shown in the diagram, covering the main features from moist winds approaching the coast to dry winds forming a desert inland. However, the response lacks a clear, cohesive overall overview right at the beginning, merely stating that there are seven phases. Furthermore, some descriptions are inaccurate or confused regarding the diagram's flow, such as stating that 'temperature is very freezing at this certain altitude' or suggesting the winds carry a good amount of moisture after passing the windward side. Because the ideas are somewhat muddled and the mechanical stages are not fully articulated with precision, this falls under Band 5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The text suffers from a major structural flaw in terms of paragraphing and sentence boundary control: the entire body of the writing is essentially presented as two massive, run-on sentences connected by weak comma splices and conjunctions (e.g., starting with 'Given is a diagram...' and continuing without a full stop for nearly 100 words). There is an absence of clear logical progression or effective cohesive devices. Although sequential transitions like 'Prior to actual formation' and 'Now the sixth phase begins' are attempted, the severe lack of proper punctuation and paragraph breaks heavily disrupts the reading flow, leading to a Band 4.5 or 5.0 score. We award 5.0 as the overall arrangement has some recognisable sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student attempts some less common vocabulary related to the topic, such as 'altitude', 'moisture', 'inclined direction', and 'rain shadow desert'. However, there are numerous lexical and spelling errors that detract from the writing, including 'approches' instead of approaches, 'spreaded' instead of spread, and 'dessert' instead of desert. Word choices are frequently unnatural or imprecise, such as 'temperature is very freezing' or 'crystal clear'. The range is sufficient to convey a basic meaning, which aligns with Band 5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The grammatical control in this response is weak. The student struggles with basic sentence boundaries, producing extremely long, run-on sentences containing multiple clauses joined incorrectly by commas or coordinating conjunctions without proper subordination. There are numerous grammatical errors throughout, such as missing subject-verb agreement ('winds coming... approches'), awkward passive/active confusions ('where the mountains is widely spreaded'), and fragmented structures ('clouds forms and approaches'). Due to the lack of error-free sentences and the frequency of structural breakdown, the writing warrants a Band 4.5, rounded to 5.0 based on positive descriptor matching for basic sentence attempts.

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

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