Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-07

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 image demonstrates the formation of rain in the specific desert which is called rain-shadow desert.

Overall, there are total seven steps included in the making of rain, such as winds approach coast, winds pushed upwards, moist air rises and cools, rain falls, dry air continues and then dry winds reach inland areas.

First and foremost, the desert has a mountain which covers the thousands of kilometers of the dry land, the process of rain begin from winds approach coast and then follows the process and makes the clouds and rain falls on the top of the mountain, after this dry air continues on the right side of the mountain which is called leeward side and then dry winds reach inland areas on the inland and this process continues.

Moreover, the water than reaches in inland and the surface of the land moist and absorb the water and all the process starts again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response identifies the main features of the diagram, such as the wind movement and the rain-shadow effect. However, the description is somewhat superficial and lacks a clear, logical progression. The explanation of the process is repetitive and fails to clearly distinguish between the windward and leeward sides of the mountain, which is crucial for explaining a rain-shadow desert. While the main steps are mentioned, the analysis lacks the depth required for a higher band, as it does not fully explain the relationship between the cooling air and the resulting precipitation. The final sentence regarding water absorption is inaccurate based on the provided diagram, indicating a misunderstanding of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, but the flow of ideas is disjointed. While some cohesive devices like 'First and foremost' and 'Moreover' are used, they are often applied mechanically or inappropriately. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as 'this process continues' and 'all the process starts again,' which makes it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of events. The logical progression is hindered by the repetitive nature of the sentences. To improve, focus on using transition words that show cause and effect rather than just listing steps.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'process,' 'winds,' and 'mountain.' There are noticeable errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'making of rain' instead of 'formation of precipitation' and 'covers the thousands of kilometers of the dry land,' which is imprecise. The student attempts to use some technical terms like 'leeward side,' but the overall range is insufficient to convey the information with precision. More varied and academic vocabulary is needed to describe geographical processes effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include subject-verb agreement ('the process of rain begin'), incorrect article usage ('the specific desert'), and awkward phrasing ('the water than reaches in inland'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several run-on sentences that lack proper conjunctions or full stops. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the response from reaching a higher band.

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

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