Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-31

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 depict a particular type of wilderness know to many as a rain-shadow desert is created.

Overall, there are up to 7 stages in the formation of rain -shadow desert starting from the wing approach coast to the final stage which is the dry wind reach inland areas.

The forming of are desert consists of different levels. The first stage is wind approach coast it starts from the coast at the top of the sea, going on to the second stage which is wind pushed upwards, that is the part that the wind goes in an upward direction. Then the third phase which is moist air rises and cools to the forth known as clouds form when the clouds starts to form then the fifth, rain falls and this happens at the top of the mountains then to the sixth level, dry wind continues over mountain that happens in a leeward side and then we come to the final stage where the dry winds reach inland areas that is how a rain-shadow desert is being formed and this happens in thousands of kilometers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but the presentation is somewhat mechanical. While you identify the seven stages, the description relies heavily on listing them sequentially rather than synthesizing the information into a cohesive process description. The overview is present but lacks a clear summary of the core mechanism—the interaction between moisture, topography, and air pressure. To improve, focus on grouping the stages logically (e.g., the ascent, the precipitation, and the descent) rather than simply numbering them. This would provide a more analytical summary of the diagram's information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organized into three short paragraphs, but the progression of ideas is repetitive. You rely heavily on simple connectors like 'the first stage', 'the second stage', and 'then', which makes the flow feel mechanical rather than fluid. Paragraphing is present, but the body paragraph is a single, long, run-on sentence structure that lacks internal cohesion. To reach a higher band, use a wider variety of cohesive devices (e.g., 'consequently', 'subsequently', 'as a result') and vary your sentence structure to better link the stages of the process.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive. You use basic terms like 'stage', 'level', and 'part' repeatedly. There are also errors in word choice and form, such as 'wilderness' (which is not the correct term for a desert) and 'wing approach coast' (which seems to be a misinterpretation of the diagram). Phrases like 'the part that the wind goes in an upward direction' are wordy and lack precision. To improve, focus on using more specific scientific terminology related to geography and weather, such as 'prevailing winds', 'orographic lift', and 'leeward side'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Subject-verb agreement is inconsistent, such as 'The diagram depict' and 'clouds starts to form'. Sentence structure is problematic; the third paragraph is essentially one long, poorly punctuated sentence that lacks proper subordination. There is a lack of complex structures, and the reliance on simple, repetitive clauses limits your range. To improve, work on using relative clauses and varied sentence types, and ensure that your verb tenses remain consistent throughout the description of the process.

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

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