Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 demonstrates how one type of desert,known as a rain-shadow desert,is formed.There are seven consists formation of rain-shadow desert.

Overall,firstly winds approach coast in the sea.Secondly when winds approach then winds pushed upward the mountain.Furthermore,next stage is that moist air rises and cool the windward side. When moist air rises and cools afte that clouds form in sky. In addition,rain falls in mountain.

Moreover, when rain are falling is completed then dry air continues over mountain.Afterthat, dry winds reached inland areas.It is a full formation of rain-shadow in a desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the process as the formation of a rain-shadow desert and include several relevant stages, such as winds moving towards the mountains, rain falling, and dry air continuing inland. However, the account is very brief and the overview does not clearly explain the key cause-and-effect pattern: moist air rises on the windward side, loses moisture as rain, and dry air descends or continues on the leeward side, creating an inland desert. Some details are unclear, including “winds approach coast in the sea.” The response is 82 words, below the required 150, so the process is only minimally described. To improve, give a clear overview and explain each main stage accurately and in sufficient detail.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

There is a recognisable sequence, supported by markers such as “Overall,” “Furthermore,” “In addition,” and “Moreover,” so readers can follow the broad order of events. However, the progression is weakened by mechanical and sometimes inaccurate linking: “Overall, firstly” combines an overview marker with a sequence marker, while “Furthermore, next stage” repeats the same function. The paragraphing also does not clearly separate the overview from the detailed stages, and the final sentence repeats the idea of formation rather than adding a concluding feature. Organise the response into a brief overview followed by a chronological description, using fewer, more precise transitions and clear references to the windward and leeward sides.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “clouds,” “rain falls,” and “dry winds,” which helps communicate the topic. However, the range is limited and several phrases are inaccurate or awkward, such as “There are seven consists formation,” “in the sea,” and “It is a full formation of rain-shadow in a desert.” These choices sometimes make the intended meaning difficult to understand. There are also spelling and spacing problems, including “afte” and “Afterthat.” Aim to use precise terms from the diagram consistently, such as “windward side,” “leeward side,” “precipitation,” and “inland,” and check collocations and spelling before finishing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts a few longer sentences, for example, “when winds approach then winds pushed upward the mountain,” but most structures are simple or incomplete, and errors frequently affect clarity. Verb forms are inconsistent: “winds pushed” and “dry winds reached” do not fit the present-tense process description, while “rain are falling is completed” is not a workable clause. There are also problems with articles, agreement, and sentence boundaries, as in “in mountain” and “There are seven consists formation.” To improve, practise describing processes in the present simple and use clear subject–verb patterns, for example, “The winds are forced upwards over the mountain.” Separate each stage into a complete sentence and check punctuation.

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