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 following diagram illustrates the process of how a desert called A Rain Shadow Desert is formed. How it starts from the sea and during the thousands of kilometer process which include cloud forming, rainfall and other stages of wind along the way to finally reaching inlands area.

The picture demonstartes the whole process starts from the sea where the wind approaches to the sea coast. As wind approachse the coast, the winds are pushed in an upwards direction on the mountains which cools and moist air rises as a result clouds are formed. As the clouds formed rainfall occurs on the mountains which are of thousands of kilometer width. Prior to the dry winds reach in land and creates a rain show desert, dry air continues over the mountain.

This whole process consist of 7 steps which starts from the sea, pave their way through the mountaisn and ends in the desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response addresses the task only partially. While it attempts to summarise the diagram showing the formation of a rain-shadow desert, the overview and key stages are inadequately developed. For instance, the student writes, 'How it starts from the sea and during the thousands of kilometer process', which is a fragmented sentence rather than a clear summary. Key features such as the windward and leeward sides of the mountains and the specific sequence of cloud formation and precipitation are mentioned, but the explanation lacks clarity and precision. To move to a higher band, the writer needs to present a fully formed introduction and overview, and report all main features of the diagram clearly without mechanical listing.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is some organisation, but the response lacks a clear overall progression. The essay is divided into three brief paragraphs, yet the sequencing of ideas feels disjointed. For example, the opening paragraph begins with a fragment ('How it starts from the sea...') rather than a cohesive sentence that outlines the main trends. Cohesive devices are used awkwardly or inaccurately, such as 'Prior to the dry winds reach in land and creates a rain show desert', which disrupts the logical flow between sentences. Referencing and paragraphing require better control; sentences are often bolted together without smooth transitions, making the progression difficult to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is limited and barely adequate for the task. The writer attempts some less common vocabulary items related to the diagram, such as 'precipitation', 'cloud forming', and 'inlands area', but these are marred by noticeable errors in word choice, form, and spelling. For instance, 'demonstartes', 'approachse', and 'rain show' demonstrate spelling and collocation inaccuracies. Furthermore, repetition of basic terms like 'wind', 'sea', and 'process' restricts the lexical range. To improve, the student should expand their vocabulary repertoire and pay closer attention to correct word forms and standard collocations.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response displays a very limited range of sentence structures, relying heavily on simple or poorly constructed complex sentences. There are frequent grammatical errors that cause difficulty for the reader, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('As wind approachse the coast, the winds are pushed') and incorrect verb forms ('Prior to the dry winds reach in land'). Punctuation is also problematic, with run-on sentences lacking appropriate subordination and full stops, as seen in the second paragraph. To achieve a higher score, the writer must demonstrate better control over complex grammar, ensure accurate verb tenses, and eliminate frequent basic errors.

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

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