Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-09

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 fomation of wet desert called as rain-shadow desert from one type of desert.

Overall, the the formation shows that the procedure starts from winds and ends with wind as well in between the clouds formed with the cool air and then the rain falls at the mountain.

Looking at the start from where the winds approaches coast from sea level. The pressure of water pushes the winds upward and afterthat the moist air rises and makes it cool, moreover the clouds formed and squeezes and fall in the shape of rain on the top of the mountain.

After that the dry air continues over mountain and going towards sea level, however the converted into dry wind and reaches the inland areas. All that procedues covers thousands of kilometers. It starts from the wind and end at wind as well. And make the rain-shadow desert as it starts from any type of desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the general sequence from coastal winds to rain and then dry air reaching inland, and you include the mountain and rain-shadow desert. However, the account only partially reports the key process: it does not clearly explain that moist air is forced up the windward side, cools and produces rain there, while the descending air on the leeward side becomes dry. Some details are inaccurate or unclear, such as saying “the pressure of water” pushes the winds upward and that the air goes “towards sea level.” The overview also repeats that the process starts and ends with wind rather than summarising the contrast between the wet windward side and dry inland area. Focus on accurately describing each stage and its location.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction and overview to the earlier and later stages of the process. Sequencing expressions such as “Looking at the start” and “After that” help the reader follow the order. However, progression is weakened by repetition: the idea that the process starts and ends with wind appears twice, and the final sentence repeats the desert’s formation without adding a clear concluding point. Some links are also inaccurate or awkward, particularly “moreover” between stages and “however” before the dry air’s movement. Use straightforward sequence markers consistently, and make each paragraph perform a distinct role: overview, windward stages, then leeward stages and outcome.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “clouds,” “rain,” “dry air,” and “inland areas,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make the description imprecise, such as “pressure of water pushes the winds upward,” “clouds formed and squeezes,” and “converted into dry wind.” “Wet desert” is also not an accurate description of the rain-shadow desert shown. Spelling errors such as “fomation” and “procedues” further reduce control. Build a more precise set of process terms—such as “is forced upwards,” “condenses,” and “precipitation”—and check spelling and word forms before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the sequence can usually be understood. However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors in verb forms, agreement, articles and sentence construction sometimes make relationships unclear. For example, “the winds approaches coast” has subject–verb and article problems, while “however the converted into dry wind” lacks a clear subject and verb. The overview’s “the the formation” also contains a repeated article, and “the procedure starts from winds” is not well formed. Practise building complete clauses with a clear subject and verb, then connect them with accurate punctuation. A reliable pattern such as “As the moist air rises, it cools and forms clouds” would improve both clarity and control.

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