Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · 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 4.5)

The diagram illustrates the process by which a rain-shadow desert is formed when moist air moves from the sea across a mountain range.

Overall, it is quite evident that the process consists seven main stage. The begining with winds approach coast while ending with rain fall water in mountain after these water land in to the desert area.

Initially, The whole process occurs over a distance of thousands of kilometres. firstly, winds approach frome the sea after it is pushed upwards. Third stage, this air convert in moist air rises and cool in the sky after it convert into clouds form and rain running into the mountains, all this process create in windward side in the mountain. As the air rises along the windward side, Finally, this dry air raise continues over the mountain area, thereafter, it is land in leeward side in mountain, In the end this dry winds reach inland areas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response attempts to cover all stages of the rain-shadow desert formation diagram, starting with winds approaching the coast and ending with dry winds reaching inland areas. However, the overview is poorly executed, containing significant grammatical inaccuracies such as 'consists seven main stage' and confusing phrasing. Furthermore, the description of the sequence is somewhat fragmented and lacks clear, logical structuring of the steps. While the main features are mentioned (such as the windward side, moisture cooling, rain falling, and the leeward side), the overall representation is unclear in places due to expression issues. It satisfies the minimum length requirement, but the lack of precise development and clarity places it within Band 5.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The text is divided into three paragraphs, including an introduction and an overview. However, progression is frequently disrupted by awkward transitions and confusing sentence boundaries. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as 'The begining with', 'after these water land', and 'firstly... after it is pushed upwards... Third stage, this air convert'. Paragraphing attempts are visible, but internal cohesion is weak. Referencing is often unclear, making it difficult for the reader to follow the exact logical flow of the geographical and meteorological processes. These limitations correspond to a Band 5 descriptor.

Lexical Resource: Band 4.5

The student attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary such as 'moist air', 'winds', 'mountains', and 'desert area'. However, the lexical range is severely restricted and heavily dependent on repeating words directly from the prompt. There are numerous word choice and word formation errors throughout the text, such as 'consists seven main stage', 'rain fall water', 'convert in moist air', and 'dry air raise'. These lexical inaccuracies frequently impede communication and cause strain for the reader, fitting the Band 4 to Band 5 threshold.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0

The grammatical structures attempted are largely marred by severe errors. While the writer attempts some complex sentences, they are almost invariably faulty, as seen in 'The begining with winds approach coast while ending with rain fall water in mountain after these water land in to the desert area.' Subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and preposition usage are problematic throughout ('winds approach frome the sea after it is pushed upwards', 'this air convert in moist air'). Errors are very frequent and constantly impede meaning, which aligns with the Band 4 descriptors.

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