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)

The Process diagram depicts a type of desert formation which is called rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the making procedure is comprised on 7 stages that formed by starting from the sea bottom where winds approach towards coast and reach at the peak of the mountain and then slid smoothly downward to mountain and ends on dry winds reaching inland area. This process covers a distance of thousands of kilometers during all these stages.

The first stage is winds moving towards coasts from the sea and push upwards. In next stage, moisture of the air increase and then cool down at windward side consequently they become clouds. Rain falls at the top of the mountain and dry air continuously happening on the mountian at leeward side. At final step, dry winds reach slowly towards the inlands area and form a rain shadow desert by covering

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to summarise the seven stages of rain-shadow desert formation shown in the diagram. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement, containing only 143 words, and trails off incomplete at the end ('by covering'). While the overview attempts to capture the core sequence from sea to inland, some details are imprecise or confused, such as stating that 'moisture of the air increase' and that dry air is 'continuously happening on the mountian at leeward side.' Because the task is under length and incomplete, it cannot achieve above Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response is divided into an introduction, an overview paragraph, and a body paragraph. Cohesive devices and sequence markers are attempted (e.g., 'Overall', 'The first stage', 'In next stage', 'At final step'), but their usage is sometimes mechanical or imprecise. Paragraphing is used to separate the introduction, overview, and details, providing a basic structural framework, but the lack of completion at the end disrupts the logical progression and overall coherence of the text.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary for describing a scientific process, using terms such as 'desert formation', 'moisture', 'windward side', and 'leeward side'. However, there are noticeable lexical errors and awkward collocations, such as 'making procedure is comprised on 7 stages' instead of 'comprises 7 stages' and 'dry air continuously happening'. Word choice is sometimes limited or repetitive, and spelling/word-choice slips cause occasional strain for the reader.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but many attempts at complex structures are flawed. Examples of grammatical errors include subject-verb agreement issues ('stages that formed', 'moisture... increase'), missing prepositions, and incomplete clauses ('by covering'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but frequent grammatical inaccuracies occasionally impede smooth communication.

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

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