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)

Formation of rain shadow desert near the mountain.

The process has seven main stages it start when wind come from the sea and end when dry air teaches the islandarea and form a desert.

First,wind from the sea approach the mountains ad they push the wind upward as the moist air rises it become cooler rain of water fall from the clouds most of the water lost in side of the mountain then air then move over tge mountainto the leeward side .At this point air is dry.

Finally the dry air move down the mountain and reaches the island areas.Because there is very little rainfall in this area rain shadow dessert is formed. Here is all the task in conclusion windward side is wet and gets rain while the leeward side is dry and become a desert when water go to the island beacause its a dry area of the land.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The student attempts to describe the seven main stages of rain-shadow desert formation shown in the diagram. However, the response lacks a clear, fully developed overview, and some details are imprecise, such as writing "island area" instead of inland area. While the core sequence from sea to mountain to inland desert is mentioned, the explanation of the physical process remains basic and somewhat fragmented. The response does meet the minimum word count of 150 words (coming in at 152 words), but the overall coverage of the stages is rather simplistic, corresponding to a Band 5.0.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The organisation of the text is extremely basic. The response features a very short introduction, followed by a dense block of text, and a concluding sentence that repeats ideas rather than summarising them effectively. Paragraphing is not used properly to separate the different stages of the diagram. Cohesive devices are minimal and sometimes inaccurate, such as "Here is all the task in conclusion". Referencing is also occasionally unclear, leading to a lack of clear overall progression. This fits the Band 4.5 to 5.0 profile, earning a Band 5.0.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is very limited and repetitive, with frequent misspellings and inappropriate word choices. Examples include "teaches" instead of reaches, "islandarea" instead of inland area, "dessert" instead of desert, and "tge" instead of the. While some topic-specific vocabulary appears (such as "wind", "moisture", "mountain", "desert"), the lexical range is narrow and major spelling errors cause some difficulty for the reader. This is characteristic of a Band 4.5, rounded to a 5.0 due to the correct inclusion of basic geographical terms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

Grammatically, the response suffers from frequent run-on sentences, comma splices, and a complete lack of punctuation in several places. For instance, the sentence starting with "First,wind from the sea approach the mountains ad they push the wind upward..." demonstrates severe structural control issues and subject-verb agreement errors ("wind... approach"). Complex structures are attempted but are faulty, and errors are frequent throughout, often causing strain for the reader. This corresponds to a Band 4.5 performance.

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.