Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-12

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 displays the process of formation of rain-shadows deserts.the whole process invloves the thousands of KMs.

So the process starts from when winds approach to the coast through sea and then wind is pushed upwards by the steep of mountains.Moist air rises to a quite high level from sea and cools.Passing through windward side these moist air converted into clouds . And then rain fall happen through clouds at the top of mountains.

In next step dry air continues over the mountains through the leeward side and reaches to inland areas.which is called inland areas

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the main sequence: winds arrive from the sea, rise over the mountains, cool and form clouds, rain falls, and drier air moves inland. This shows a basic understanding of the diagram. However, the response is substantially underdeveloped and does not meet the 150-word minimum, which limits how fully you can summarise the process. The final sentence says the dry winds reach inland areas, but then repeats “inland areas” rather than explaining that the rain-shadow desert forms there. The overview is also missing: state clearly that the mountains cause rain on the windward side and leave dry conditions on the leeward side. Add the desert’s location and the diagram’s broad scale to complete the key features.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The stages are presented in a generally understandable order, and phrases such as “So the process starts” and “In next step” signal movement through the process. However, the response has only two short paragraphs and does not establish a clear overall progression from an overview to a complete sequence. Some links are awkward or unclear: “Passing through windward side these moist air converted into clouds” does not clearly show how the stages connect, while “which is called inland areas” repeats rather than clarifies the preceding idea. Use a brief overview followed by a paragraph tracing the stages, and make each transition express a distinct step. This would make the organisation more coherent and reduce repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “coast,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” and “dry air,” so the reader can recognise the topic and several stages. However, the range is limited, and noticeable spelling and word-choice problems reduce precision: “rain-shadows deserts,” “invloves,” “KMs,” and “rain fall happen” are not accurate or natural forms. “Steep of mountains” is also an unclear way to describe the air being forced upwards by the mountain slope. Aim for precise process language such as “is forced upwards,” “condenses,” and “precipitation,” while checking spelling and using standard forms such as “kilometres.” Avoid repeating “inland areas” when a more exact term is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and linked sentences, and the sequence can usually be followed. However, the range is limited, and frequent errors in sentence construction, agreement, articles, and punctuation make several sentences difficult to read. For example, “wind is pushed upwards by the steep of mountains” has an unclear grammatical structure, while “these moist air converted into clouds” lacks correct agreement and a passive verb form. The opening also runs “deserts.the” together, and the final sentence begins with a lowercase “which” after a full stop. Practise forming accurate passive clauses for processes, such as “Moist air is forced upwards and cools,” and check articles, plural forms, and sentence boundaries.

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

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