Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-05

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)

This diagram shows the formation of rain-shadow deserts. Near the sea winds approaches the coast then pushed upward the mountains and moist air rises and cools then the clouds form then rail fall happens on the peak of mountains .dry air continues over mountains downward to mountains then it reaches the inland desert then it forms rain-shadow deserts

It starts their journey form sea coast to rain-shadow desert there difference about thousands of kilometres. And more over them moist air rises and cools that we know after that they form clouds and rain happens when they crash with each other and the air or we can say winds get dry on the leeward side the dry winds approach the inland are and form rain-shadow deserts. This is all about the formation of rain-shadow desert . This process happens on the mountains where wind are blowing continuously.eventually moreover this is how the desert formed

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation, such as the movement of moist air from the sea and the subsequent rain on the windward side. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks a clear, structured overview of the process. While the main features are identified, the explanation of the 'leeward' side and the transition to the desert environment is slightly underdeveloped. To improve, ensure that each stage of the process is clearly linked to the visual information provided, avoiding redundant phrasing like 'we can say' or 'this is all about'.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks a logical flow between sentences. The paragraphing is ineffective, as the text is split into two blocks that do not follow a clear progression. Cohesive devices are either missing or used incorrectly, such as the repetitive use of 'and' and 'moreover' to start sentences. The transition between the initial movement of air and the final formation of the desert is disjointed. To achieve a higher score, you should use a wider variety of linking words (e.g., 'subsequently', 'consequently', 'as a result') and ensure that each sentence builds logically upon the previous one.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is quite limited and repetitive. You rely heavily on basic terms like 'happens', 'form', and 'winds'. There are also issues with word choice and collocation, such as 'rail fall' (likely a typo for rainfall) and 'crash with each other'. The phrasing is often informal and lacks the precision required for an Academic Task 1 report. To improve, focus on using more specific terminology related to geography and weather, such as 'moisture-laden', 'precipitation', 'prevailing winds', and 'arid conditions'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues ('winds approaches', 'desert formed'), missing articles, and incorrect sentence structures. Many sentences are run-on or fragmented, making the text difficult to follow. For example, 'Near the sea winds approaches the coast then pushed upward...' lacks proper punctuation and grammatical structure. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring that every sentence has a clear subject and verb, and using commas or conjunctions correctly to join clauses.

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

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