Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-06

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 chart illustrates the data regarding how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is created.

Overall, it can be seen that there are major 7 steps for developing rain shadow desert from the sea coast cold winds approaches upwards and transformed into rain clouds and the dry air reaches inland areas that result into rain-shadow desert

By analysing the data, firstly winds from the sea cost pushes upwards to the windward area where it get moist and again pushes upwards then reformed into clouds. Moreover, that clouds produce rain falls that goes to leeward side then produce dry air over the mountain.

To look at the 6th step that dry air which was produced by falling rain towards the leeward side now goes downward to the leeward side. However , it continues to flow downward untill it reaches inland areas where it proceed into rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum length requirement of 150 words, containing only 140 words. While the writer attempts to describe the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation, the overview is poorly formulated and difficult to follow. The information is only partially covered, with some inaccuracies in how the steps are described, such as confusing sea costs with coastal winds. The response addresses the task partially, resulting in a limited and underdeveloped overview of the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some basic organization with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a concluding step, but there is no clear overall progression or logical flow throughout the response. Cohesive devices are used mechanically and sometimes inaccurately, such as 'By analysing the data' and 'To look at the 6th step'. Paragraphing is attempted, but referencing between sentences is weak and repetitive, making the text somewhat disjointed for the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

The lexical range is limited and minimally adequate for describing a process. There are noticeable word choice and spelling errors that occasionally cause confusion, such as 'sea cost' instead of 'coast', 'reformed' instead of 'transformed', and 'proceed' instead of 'turn' or 'develop'. The vocabulary relies heavily on repeating terms directly from the prompt rather than demonstrating a flexible range of synonyms or precise scientific terminology.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writer uses a very limited range of sentence structures, and attempts at complex sentences are frequently faulty. There are persistent errors in grammar, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('winds approaches', 'clouds produce rain falls that goes'), incorrect prepositions, and missing articles. Punctuation errors are also present, such as spaces before commas. These frequent errors cause some difficulty and strain for the reader.

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

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