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 diagram illustrates formation of rain-shadow desert which is one type of desert.

Overall, there is process in which air from sea level rises while winds pushed that air upword and makes clouds which initiate rain on desert land whereas the distence between inland and sea is about thousands of kilometres which consistes and Mountains.

In initial stage winds approach coasts on sea level and winds help and push that moist air upwords that wet air rises and cools at windward stage of mountain and make clouds which initiate rain falls on Mountains meanwhile after raining dry air continues over Mountain and reach leeward sideof mountain and them move and reach toward inland and make rain-shadow desert.

The distence between inland which is also rain-shadow desert is about thousand of kilometers which consists of mountains.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the subject and describe the main sequence: moist air rises over the windward side, clouds form, rain falls, and dry air continues inland to create the desert. However, the overview is unclear and includes a misreading: rain is shown falling over the mountains on the windward side, not on the desert land. The final sentence repeats the distance point without explaining the process further, while the diagram’s key contrast between the wet windward side and dry leeward side could be stated more clearly. The response also falls 15 words short of the required minimum. To strengthen coverage, give a concise overview of the full process and accurately distinguish the two sides of the mountain.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to the stages of the process, and sequence markers such as “In initial stage” and “after raining” help show order. However, progression is weakened by the long, crowded sentences, especially the overview, where several ideas are joined without clear relationships. The final sentence repeats the distance information rather than advancing the description. Some links are also unclear: “which consists of mountains” does not clearly explain what the distance refers to. Organise the response into a brief overview followed by clearly separated stages, and use linking expressions to show cause and sequence rather than joining many points in one sentence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “windward,” “leeward,” “clouds,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which allows the reader to recognise the main features. However, the range is limited and some word choices or forms are inaccurate or repetitive, such as “initiate rain,” “distence,” “upwords,” and repeated uses of “reach” and “make.” These errors sometimes make the description less clear, particularly when explaining how the desert forms. Aim for precise process collocations and check spelling. For example, describe clouds as “form” and rain as “falls,” and use “travel” or “move inland” for the dry air. This would make the account more natural and exact.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts to combine stages using clauses, for example, “after raining dry air continues over Mountain and reach leeward side,” but complex sentences are often faulty and make relationships difficult to follow. There are frequent problems with articles, agreement, and verb forms: “there is process,” “winds pushed,” and “dry air … reach” need grammatical adjustment. Sentence boundaries and punctuation also need attention, as the overview contains several ideas joined into one sentence. Use a wider mix of short, controlled sentences and carefully formed complex clauses. Check that singular subjects take singular verbs, that articles are included where needed, and that each sentence clearly identifies the actor and action.

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

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