Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-30

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 process diagram elucidate type of desert rain shadow is formed.Overall it is evident that the formatipn of rain shadow deserts is carried out by following more than seven distinctive steps. Additionally the process starts from Winds approach coast and ends at Dry winds reach inland areas.Furthermore,all step are very important and relate to each other.

Talking about initial steps frist step is winds approach coast ,which is then followed by winds pushed upwards, than comes Moist rises and cools, ciouds from, rain falls, and then rise wind ward side.

Pouring some light on finalizing steps, these find are very critical to getting the finished product. Final product are obtained by discrease Dryb air continues over mountain follow by Dry winds reach inland areas .hence ,a finished product is obtaint by following different phases of the mountains.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, containing only 138 words, which impacts the overall completeness of the task. While the student attempts to summarise the diagram showing the formation of rain-shadow deserts by mentioning some initial and final steps, the overview is extremely brief and lacks adequate development of the main features, such as the geographical transition from the sea and coast across the windward and leeward sides of the mountains to the inland rain-shadow desert. Key stages like moisture cooling, cloud formation, and precipitation are only listed rather than properly integrated into a cohesive summary. Consequently, the task is addressed only partially, corresponding to a Band 5 performance.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The organisation of the text is somewhat disjointed. Although the writer attempts to introduce distinct sections using phrases like 'Talking about initial steps' and 'Pouring some light on finalizing steps', the paragraphing is poor and unpolished. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as 'than comes Moist rises and cools' and 'hence ,a finished product is obtaint'. There is a lack of smooth progression between ideas, and the referencing of stages in the diagram is mechanical rather than fluid. Overall arrangement shows some basic structural elements, but cohesion is frequently faulty, placing this response firmly in the Band 5 category.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is very limited and repetitive, often relying on inappropriate phrasing such as 'finished product' to describe a natural geographical process. There are numerous spelling and word-choice errors throughout the text, including 'elucidate' instead of 'elucidates', 'formatipn', 'ciouds from', 'discrease', and 'obtaint'. While the student attempts some topic-related vocabulary like 'winds', 'coast', and 'mountain', the lack of precision and frequent lexical errors cause strain for the reader and severely limit the range of vocabulary, matching the criteria for Band 4.5, which rounds to Band 5.0.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.0

The grammatical structures attempted are largely simplistic, and sentences containing complex clauses are frequently faulty. Examples of significant grammatical errors include subject-verb agreement issues and missing articles, as seen in 'type of desert rain shadow is formed' and 'first step is winds approach coast'. Punctuation is also problematic, with incorrect spacing and misplaced commas. The range of structures is limited, and frequent errors in grammar and punctuation cause difficulty and confusion for the reader. This performance aligns closely with the Band 4 descriptor.

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

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