Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 process diagram illustrates the formation of one specifiqe type of desert,called a rain-shadow desert.

Overall,the diagram pass by seven steps,starting with winds came from the sea,finishing with rain-shadow desert formed,while a several feauters happened in the last steps.

Firstly,winds came from the sea near to the coast,it went upwards over the mountain , then a moist air created from it ,and cool weather was on the windward side.However a clouds maded and rain fell on the mountains, the distance to form the rain-shadw desert was thousands of kilometers.In contrast,on the other side a dry air moves over mountains,exactly in the leeward side,this dry winds reached inland places,under this land the rain-shadow desert was formed .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the subject and give a basic overview of the sequence, from winds arriving from the sea to the formation of a rain-shadow desert. You also mention key stages such as air rising, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry winds moving inland. However, the account is only partial: the stages are not clearly distinguished, and some details are inaccurate or unclear. For example, “a moist air created from it” does not explain that moist air rises and cools, while “cool weather was on the windward side” misrepresents the process. The reference to thousands of kilometres is included but not clearly connected to the diagram’s horizontal scale. The response is 116 words, below the required 150, so the process is underdeveloped. Describe each stage more accurately and fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is a basic overall order, signalled by “Overall” and “Firstly,” and the reader can follow the broad movement from the sea, over the mountains, and towards inland areas. However, most of the process is compressed into one long paragraph and several stages are joined together, so the progression is not consistently clear. The transition “However” does not express a contrast between the preceding and following events, and “In contrast” introduces the leeward side without a clear comparison. Some references, such as “it” and “under this land,” are also difficult to interpret. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and the sequence, and connect each stage with precise links such as “as a result” and “after crossing the mountain.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps identify the diagram’s main features. However, the range is limited, and several spelling and word-choice errors make parts of the description difficult to understand: “specifiqe,” “feauters,” “maded,” and “rain-shadw.” Phrases such as “cool weather” and “dry air moves over mountains” are not precise descriptions of the stages shown. Aim for accurate process terms and natural collocations, for example, “the air cools,” “clouds form,” and “dry winds continue inland.” Proofread spelling carefully, especially for key terms that recur in the task.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts to combine stages using clauses and sequencing, as in “winds came from the sea near to the coast, it went upwards over the mountain,” but sentence control is often weak. This example joins two independent clauses with only a comma, and the pronoun “it” does not clearly agree with “winds.” There are also recurring problems with articles, agreement, and verb forms, including “a clouds,” “a moist air created,” and “winds came.” The final sentence shifts between “dry air moves” and “winds reached,” making the sequence inconsistent. Most sentences are long chains of events, with little variety or reliable punctuation. Build shorter, complete sentences first, then add subordinate clauses while checking tense, articles, and subject–verb agreement.

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