Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-14

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 shows how the rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall it is evident that process involves seven steps which starts from winds approaching coast to the final formation of rain shadow desert.

Initially, wind is approached coast through the sea which then in the next step hits the mountains and wind is pushed upwards. Following this step, as wind goes upward, moist air is rose and cooled towards the windawrd side which results in the formation of clouds in the next step. As this step is completed, rain is fallen through the clouds formed.

After this stage, dry wind is flowing over the mountain on the Leeward side which results in the last step which is involved when dry win

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the diagram as a process and give its overall direction, from winds approaching the coast to the desert’s formation. You also report several central stages, including air rising and cooling, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry air crossing the mountain. However, the account is incomplete: it stops mid-sentence at “dry win”, so the final stage—dry winds reaching inland areas and the rain-shadow desert forming—is not clearly reported. The overview is also limited, and some details are unclear, such as “wind is approached coast.” The response is 29 words below the required minimum, which contributes to the limited coverage. To improve, complete the sequence and explain how the dry conditions on the leeward side lead to a desert inland.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic, sensible sequence: an introduction and overview are followed by stages beginning with “Initially” and “Following this step.” These markers help the reader follow the process. However, the final paragraph ends abruptly, leaving the progression unfinished, and several links are repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “step” and “which results in.” Some references, such as “this step” and “this stage,” are not always precise about which event is being described. Use clearer paragraphing to separate the overview from the full sequence, vary linking expressions, and ensure each sentence leads logically to the next. A complete final sentence would make the progression more coherent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “clouds,” “rain,” “mountains,” and “Leeward side,” so the topic is generally recognisable. There is also some attempt to describe change with phrases such as “pushed upwards” and “formation of clouds.” However, word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or repetitive: “wind is approached coast,” “rain is fallen,” and “dry wind is flowing” do not express the stages naturally. “Windawrd” is misspelled, and “dry win” is incomplete. Aim for precise process verbs and standard geographical terms, such as “winds approach,” “air rises,” “precipitation falls,” and “inland.” This would make the description clearer and more appropriate for an academic process report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a sequence linked with “which then” and “as,” but control is inconsistent. Errors in verb forms and sentence construction occur in examples such as “wind is approached coast,” “moist air is rose and cooled,” and “rain is fallen.” The sentence beginning “After this stage” also shifts into an awkward progressive construction and is left unfinished, so the final meaning is unclear. Articles and prepositions are sometimes missing or incorrectly used, as in “approaching coast.” To improve, use straightforward present-simple forms for a process description—for example, “winds approach the coast,” “moist air rises and cools,” and “rain falls”—then build longer sentences only when the grammatical links are secure.

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