Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-04

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 figure illustrates how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, how is this formed.

Overall, the area of mountains there is consist of thousands of kilometers. This process is depends upon different steps. On the left side there is a Sea, and Mountains in the middle and inland area on the right side. The formation of rain-shadow is not a short or easy process. This is time taking process.

Firstly, from sea winds approach coast upwards. At second step, winds are pushed upwards. At third step, moist air rises and cools. At the fourth step this is how clouds are formed at the windward side of Mountains. At the fifth step rain started falling from the clouds on the top of the mountains. At sixth step dry air continues over mountains from the leeward side. Seventh and final step of the formation of rain-shadow dry winds reach the inland areas. And this is how the rain-shadow desert are formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response identifies the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process. However, the description is overly simplistic and relies on a mechanical listing of steps rather than a cohesive summary of the process. The introduction is repetitive and contains grammatical errors that obscure the task overview. While the key features (sea, mountains, windward/leeward sides) are mentioned, the explanation lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band. The response would benefit from grouping the stages into logical phases—such as the initial moisture intake, the orographic lift, and the final rain-shadow effect—rather than simply numbering them.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The text is organized into a brief introduction and a body paragraph. While there is a logical sequence, the use of cohesive devices is mechanical and repetitive, specifically the reliance on 'At [ordinal number] step'. This makes the flow of the text feel stilted. Paragraphing is insufficient; the entire process description is crammed into one paragraph, which hinders readability. To improve, you should use a wider variety of linking words and transition phrases to connect the stages of the process more naturally, rather than relying on a rigid list format.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and somewhat repetitive. Phrases like 'time taking process' and 'area of mountains there is consist of' are unnatural and indicate a lack of precision. While the student correctly identifies technical terms like 'windward' and 'leeward', the surrounding language is basic. There is a lack of variety in verbs and descriptive adjectives. To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more precise academic vocabulary related to geography and processes, such as 'evaporation', 'precipitation', 'orographic lift', and 'arid conditions', rather than relying on simple sentence structures.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'how is this formed' (incorrect word order), 'there is consist of' (redundant verb usage), and 'rain-shadow desert are formed' (subject-verb agreement error). The sentence structures are predominantly simple, with very few attempts at complex sentences. When complex structures are attempted, they are often faulty. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement and sentence construction. Increasing the use of complex sentences, such as using relative clauses or passive voice correctly, would significantly improve the score.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.