Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-13

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 the formation of rain-shadow desert. Overall, the formation of this type of desert includes 7 different steps including winds flowing from costal area which rises up to the mountains and rain brings it to the inland area.

At the beginning, winds approach to sea which flows to the costal area which is further pushed upwards in the mountains where moist air rises and cools down. Once moist air rises and cools, clouds is formed near Windward side. Then rain starts to fall in the mountain areas.

When rain starts to fall dry air continues over the mountain in Leeward side. Then it reaches in inland area making rain shadow desert. This is how it is formed travelling thousands of kilometers.

In short, this process mainly involves the natural phenomenon which includes winds and condensation of air which finally makes rain fall and rain shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to summarize the diagram showing the formation of a rain-shadow desert, identifying key stages such as winds blowing from the coastal area, rising over mountains, condensation, rain on the windward side, and dry air creating a desert on the leeward side. However, the overview is somewhat simplistic, stating that the process includes '7 different steps' which is not fully reflected in a clear, distinct list of seven stages. Furthermore, some of the data reporting lacks precision, and the relationship between the windward and leeward sides could be more clearly articulated. While the main features are touched upon, the lack of full development and occasional confusion in reporting minor details prevent it from achieving a higher band. It satisfies the basic requirements of an Academic Task 1 summary, demonstrating an understanding of the visual information provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The response has a discernible overall structure, moving from an introduction to body paragraphs and a concluding summary. Paragraphing is attempted, though some paragraphs are very brief, such as the single-sentence final paragraph. Cohesive devices are used to signal progression, including phrases like 'At the beginning,' 'Once moist air rises,' and 'When rain starts to fall.' However, the logical progression is at times mechanical and repetitive, and referencing can be imprecise, such as 'which is further pushed upwards' where the antecedent is slightly unclear. While the text is generally readable, the overall flow lacks the flexibility and sophistication seen at higher bands.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with some subject-specific terms such as 'condensation,' 'moist air,' 'windward side,' and 'leeward side' appearing in the text. However, there are notable lexical inaccuracies and awkward phrasing, such as 'winds flowing from costal area' (spelling error and weak collocation) and 'rain brings it to the inland area' (inaccurate description of the rain-bringing process). The writer attempts less common vocabulary, but word choice and spelling flaws (e.g., 'costal' instead of 'coastal') constrain the lexical score. Overall, the vocabulary is minimally adequate to convey the basic meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response exhibits a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating some attempt at subordination and relative clauses, such as in 'winds approaching to sea which flows to the costal area which is further pushed upwards.' However, this sentence also highlights grammatical and syntactic strain through excessive chaining with 'which.' There are several grammar and punctuation errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., 'clouds is formed') and prepositional errors (e.g., 'approaches to sea'). These errors occasionally cause some difficulty for the reader, though communication is not completely impeded.

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.