Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-08

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 given diagram illustrate how one type desert, know as a rain-shadow desert, is formed. The formation of rain-shadow deserts shows the how to sea water travel rain falls to inland decribe in the diagraph.

Initially this process completely in natural process. sea water winds approach coast to pushed upwards in air. winds pushed upwards the air to carry water in the windward side. gradually upwards moves the moist air rises and cools on the up to clouds from this process have taken the longer period in the air. finally, this clouds from of moist air rises and cools the water and rain falls on the top of mountains.

That is the whole process how to sea water travels the thousands of kilometers. rain falls in the top of the moutains gradually dry air continues over mountain to leeward side. The leeward side water falling into the inland throught the dry winds reach inland areas. finally, sea water travel the thousands of kilometers and reach the inland. That whole process are daily in our enviroment. this process is natural process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the topic and include several central stages: winds approach the coast, rise over the mountains, cool, form clouds, produce rain, and continue inland as dry air. This shows a partial understanding of the process. However, some descriptions are unclear or inaccurate: the diagram shows winds carrying moist air from the sea, not “sea water” travelling inland, and rain falls on the windward side before dry air crosses the mountain to the leeward side. The overview is also weakened by repeated claims that the process happens daily and is natural, which do not summarise its defining pattern. To improve, give a concise overview of the contrast between rainfall on the windward side and arid conditions inland, then describe each stage accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic attempt to organise the account in sequence, using “Initially,” “gradually,” and “finally,” and the response moves from the coast and mountains towards inland areas. However, the progression is difficult to follow because stages are repeated and some links between them are unclear. For example, the account says clouds form, then repeats that “this clouds from of moist air rises and cools” before mentioning rain. The second paragraph also returns to the process’s starting point with “sea water travel the thousands of kilometers,” rather than clearly advancing from rainfall to dry air reaching the desert. Use separate paragraphs for an overview and the stages, and connect each stage once in the diagram’s order.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “clouds,” and “dry winds.” These terms show an attempt to describe the diagram rather than relying only on general language. However, word choice and spelling errors often make the meaning difficult to interpret. “Sea water” is repeatedly used where “moist air” or “winds” is intended, and phrases such as “water falling into the inland” do not express the process accurately. There are also errors in “diagraph,” “moutains,” and “enviroment.” Build a more precise set of process verbs and check spelling; avoid repeating “process” and “travel” when more specific terms are available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to use sequencing and cause-and-effect clauses, but sentence structures are limited and many sentences contain errors that make relationships between ideas hard to understand. For example, “The given diagram illustrate” has subject–verb disagreement, while “winds approach coast to pushed upwards in air” lacks a clear grammatical structure. Articles and verb forms are also frequently missing or incorrect, as in “clouds from” and “rain falls in the top of the moutains.” Some simple clauses, such as “rain falls,” are understandable, but control is not consistent. Practise building accurate simple sentences first, then combine them with clauses using “when,” “as,” or “so that.” Check agreement, articles, and past participles during editing.

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

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