Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-07

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 rain shadow have 6 steps to be formed and they are executive so the first step start when the winds come from the sea and approach the coast after that the winds get pushed upwards to the windward side and continue untel it reach the highest point of the mountains on the same time its temperature gets down and it becomes colder and at this step the clouds forms start appearing and because the air contains a high ammount of water so the water chimical situation start changes from gaz to liquide and as a concequence of this phenoment the clouds start rainning on the top of the mountains and directly the dry air gets down of the mountains to the leeward side where the dry winds reach the inland areas at this step the rain-shadow will be succucfully formed after the winds cross thousands of kilometres from the start point of this naturel phenoment

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main sequence from sea winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland, and include the key contrast between the windward and leeward sides. However, the account only partially fulfils the task because it lacks a clear overview of the process and some stages are not reported accurately or clearly. For example, the diagram shows seven numbered stages, but you state there are “6 steps”; it also shows dry air continuing over the mountain, rather than simply “gets down” the mountains. The explanation about water changing from gas to liquid adds detail not shown in the diagram and takes space from the main features. Give a concise overview first, then describe the stages using only information supported by the visual.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response follows the general direction of the process, and sequencing phrases such as “the first step,” “after that,” and “at this step” help the reader recognise the order. However, the whole account is presented as one long sentence, so the stages and their relationships are difficult to follow. Several links are repetitive, and the explanation of condensation interrupts the progression from rising air to rainfall. Organise the response into a short overview and a clearly ordered description, using sentence breaks to separate the windward and leeward stages. More precise links such as “as a result” or “once the air crosses the mountain” would make the progression clearer without relying repeatedly on “after that” and “at this step.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “clouds,” and “rain-shadow,” which helps convey the topic. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate word choices or spellings make parts of the explanation hard to understand, such as “executive” for the stages occurring in sequence, “chimical situation,” and “succucfully.” Some expressions are also unnatural, including “the winds get pushed upwards” and “the dry air gets down of the mountains.” Aim for accurate, conventional process language and check spelling carefully. For example, “the air rises,” “moisture condenses,” and “precipitation falls” would describe the diagram more precisely and naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt to connect several stages using subordinate clauses and time expressions, but the response relies on one extended sentence, and errors frequently make the relationships between ideas difficult to follow. Examples include “the rain shadow have 6 steps,” “the clouds forms,” and “it reach the highest point,” where subject–verb agreement is not controlled. Verb forms and sentence boundaries are also problematic: the sequence beginning “the first step start when…” continues without full stops, and “after the winds cross” does not fit clearly with the intended completed process. Use shorter sentences with a clear subject and verb for each stage, and check agreement and tense. This would make your attempted complex structures easier to understand.

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

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