Band 4.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 4.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-04

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 4.5)

The process diagram illustrates the one type pf desert ,such as a rain-shadow desert in formed .

Overall , it is evident from the process diagram , there are several stages in the process . The procedure start with winds approach coast and ends with the dry winds reach inland areas.

Initially, if winds approaches the coast, the second wind is pushed upward . After thay, they pushed up moist air rises and cools near at mountain. They shaped of clouds form . Morever, it start to rain fall .Rain is essential for mountain.

Next to this , The dry air continues the mountain over right side . Futhermore, the slighty dry inland areas . the dry winds is stopped in inland . However , they have stopped rain shadow desert. it has

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

The response addresses the task only minimally and fails to reach the required word count of at least 150 words, finishing at 133 words. The student attempts to describe the stages of a rain-shadow desert forming, but the information is presented in a very fragmented and confusing way. Key features from the diagram, such as the sea, windward side, leeward side, and mountains, are either missed or described so inaccurately that the overall progression is difficult to follow. The overview is rudimentary and mechanical, and the ideas remain undeveloped and hard to interpret throughout the response.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some basic organization with paragraph breaks and introductory phrases like 'Overall', but the text lacks clear overall progression. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as 'Next to this' and 'Futhermore', which disrupts the logical flow between sentences. Referencing is frequently unclear, making it hard to understand how the steps in the process connect. The conclusion trails off abruptly with incomplete thoughts, further reducing the overall coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and basic, with noticeable errors that cause difficulty for the reader. There are frequent spelling mistakes and word choice issues, such as 'pf', 'thay', 'Morever', and 'futhermore'. The student attempts some less common terms related to the diagram like 'rain-shadow desert', but vocabulary range remains minimally adequate. Word forms are also misused in places, such as 'winds approaches' or 'start to rain fall'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response shows a very limited range of structures, with frequent errors in grammar and punctuation that often distort meaning and cause difficulty for the reader. There are persistent problems with subject-verb agreement, such as 'winds approach coast' and 'winds is stopped', alongside faulty article usage and incorrect prepositional phrases like 'near at mountain'. Attempts at complex sentences result in severe structural errors, and punctuation is inconsistently applied throughout the text.

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

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