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 diagram illustrates how a rain shadow desert is formed through the coast area from inland.
Overall, the process consists of seven main stages, beginning with wind approaching the coast and ending with dry winds reaching. The main stages involve winds approaching, winds pushing upwards, moist air, cloud forming, rain falling and dry winds reaching. finally, rain shadow desert forming. The mountains consists of two main sides winward side and leeward side.
Initially, winds approach the coast from the sea and pushed into upwards. Next, moist air rises and then cools. After that, clouds form and rain falls start in winward site. Dry air continues then moved to over mountain in leeward side. Once this has been done, dry air pass through the mount and dry winds formed in inland areas. Finally, a rain shadow desert is formed. The process has done through the coast and sea areas to inland area from thousands of kilometers.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The student attempts to describe all seven stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, covering the initial winds approaching the coast up to the final desert formation. An overview is present, though awkwardly phrased. However, the response contains several mechanical errors in reporting the visual details, such as stating that 'the process consists of seven main stages' and then awkwardly listing them without full synthesis. Key geographic features like the windward and leeward sides are mentioned, but the explanation lacks the clarity and smooth reporting expected for higher bands. The spatial scale of 'thousands of kilometres' is tacked on at the end rather than integrated meaningfully. Overall, all parts of the task are addressed, but the execution is somewhat disjointed and limited in development, corresponding to a Band 5.5.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The response is divided into three brief paragraphs, attempting an introduction, an overview, and body details. However, logical progression is frequently disrupted by awkward sentence structures and abrupt transitions, such as 'Once this has been done, dry air pass through the mount and dry winds formed in inland areas.' Cohesive devices are used mechanically ('Initially', 'Next', 'After that', 'Finally'), and referencing is sometimes unclear, for example in sentences lacking clear subjects. Paragraphing is attempted, but the internal flow of ideas lacks seamless cohesion, placing it firmly at Band 5.0.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The student uses basic and repetitive vocabulary relevant to the diagram, such as 'winds', 'coast', 'mountain', and 'desert'. There are notable word-choice errors and awkward collocations throughout the text, such as 'through the coast area from inland', 'cloud forming', and 'winward site' (misspelling of windward side). Attempts at less common vocabulary are either inaccurate or awkward, such as 'the process has done through'. While the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the basic topic, errors in spelling and word formation are noticeable and occasionally cause strain for the reader, justifying a Band 5.0.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control is weak. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with passive voice formation and verb tenses, such as 'winds pushed into upwards', 'rain falls start in winward site', 'dry air continues then moved to over mountain', and 'The process has done'. Punctuation and article usage are also problematic. These frequent errors cause difficulty for the reader at times, though the general meaning remains partially retrievable, leading to a Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.