Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-06

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 image here illustrates a kind of dry barren, which is also called rain-shadow desert, that how it is shaped.

Overall, this diagram shows that the rain-shadow deserts formation includes total seven stages, the first one get started from sea, the winds approach coast lines and lastly end when the dry winds reach inland areas.

The first step starts from when the air approach the beach, then in second step the wind pushed upwards before the cloud formation the moist air goes further above and cause rain.

In fifth satge the rain falls, in next stage the dry air continues over the mountain and the wind flow in leeward side. The last stage is where the Dry winds reach inland areas. this represent the overview of barren land rain-shadow. the process is reap

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram as a process and give its overall sequence, noting that it has seven stages and ends when dry winds reach inland areas. You also mention rain falling and dry air crossing the mountain, which are relevant features. However, the account is only partial: the key explanation that moist air rises and cools before clouds form is unclear, and the windward and leeward sides are not explained as contrasting parts of the process. The opening description of a “dry barren” is also imprecise. The response contains 133 words, below the required 150, so several stages and their cause-and-effect links remain underdeveloped. To improve, describe the full sequence accurately and explain how rainfall on the windward side leaves dry air to create a desert inland.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic chronological structure: you introduce the process, give an overview, and then describe early and later stages. Sequencing phrases such as “Overall,” “The first step,” and “In fifth stage” help the reader follow the intended order. However, progression is not consistently clear because several stages are compressed into long, loosely connected sentences, and the account jumps from the second step to the fifth. The final sentence, “this represent the overview,” repeats earlier information rather than concluding the description, while the unfinished ending disrupts the flow. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and the stages, and connect each stage explicitly with accurate sequencing language so the process develops smoothly from coast to inland.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “rain falls,” “dry air,” “mountain,” and “inland areas,” which makes the general topic recognisable. There is also an attempt to use terms such as “rain-shadow desert” and “leeward side.” However, word choice and collocation are often imprecise: “dry barren” does not clearly name a desert, “beach” is less suitable than “coast” for this diagram, and “the wind flow in leeward side” is awkward. “Cloud formation” is understandable but does not clearly report the stage shown. Spelling errors such as “satge” and the incomplete final word also reduce control. Build a more accurate set of geographical and process terms and check spelling before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including a sequence joined with “before” and “then.” However, many sentences contain frequent errors that make relationships between stages difficult to follow. For example, “that how it is shaped” lacks a grammatical structure, and “the winds approach coast lines and lastly end” has an unclear subject and verb relationship. There are also problems with articles and agreement in “the wind pushed upwards” and “this represent,” as well as sentence-boundary and capitalization errors in “areas. this represent.” The final clause is incomplete. Use clear present-simple sentences for each stage, check subject–verb agreement and articles, and punctuate each complete idea as a sentence.

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