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 process diagram illustrates how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert is formed.
Overall, it is clearly seen that process consists of several stages.The process begins with winds approach coast and ends with dry winds reach inland areas than a rain-shadow desert is formed.Moreever, this all process done by thousand of kilometers.
Initially, Winds approaches coast and compelled towards along the mountains.Moreever, in third stage when the moist air rises and cools cloud formation in the windward side.After that, rain falls on the top of the mountains.Consequently, When the air contioued over the mountains in the leeward side then dry wind drop down and reach the inland areas .Finally, a rain-shadow desert is formed.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.0 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.0 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0
The student attempts to describe the process diagram showing the formation of rain-shadow deserts, identifying key stages such as winds approaching the coast, moist air rising, cloud formation, and precipitation on the windward side, followed by dry air descending on the leeward side. However, the response falls significantly short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 117 words. This under-length results in an incomplete overview and insufficient extension of the main features, preventing the response from achieving a higher score.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0
The essay is organised into two brief paragraphs, attempting a basic overview and sequential description. However, the logical flow is disrupted by repetitive phrasing, mechanical linking ('Moreever', 'Initially', 'After that'), and poor paragraphing. Referencing is sometimes unclear, such as 'this all process done by thousand of kilometers', which detracts from the overall progression of ideas. Cohesive devices are used rather clumsily, placing this aspect of the text firmly at Band 5.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.0
The vocabulary used is basic and heavily reliant on direct lifting of terms from the diagram prompt (e.g., 'winds approach coast', 'rain-shadow desert', 'windward side'). There are several lexical and mechanical errors, such as 'Moreever' (misspelling of moreover), 'contioued' (continued), and awkward word choices like 'compelled towards along the mountains'. The range is minimally adequate for the task, but lacks flexibility or precision, leading to frequent noticeable errors.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The writing contains a very limited range of grammatical structures, with frequent basic errors. Examples include missing articles and incorrect verb forms such as 'winds approach coast' instead of 'winds approach the coast', 'cloud formation in the windward side' lacking a main verb, and 'When the air contioued over the mountains in the leeward side then dry wind drop down'. These frequent grammatical inaccuracies and flawed complex sentence attempts cause noticeable difficulty for the reader.
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