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 diagram illustrate the one type of desert, known as a rainn shadow desert, is formed. In this essay i will explain the formation of rain shadow deserts.

To begin with, the sea level touch with the coast and mountains. Winds approach coast then mountain push the wind upwards. Moist air rises and cools the air and convert into the clouds. After this process the rain are falls. The mountain are spread the thousands of kilometers. In this diagram the rain covers the mostly one side of the sea.

On the other sides of mountain the dry air continues over mountain going to downwords the mountain. The rain are falling on the mountain and touches the leeward side. At the end the dry winds reach inland areas and touching the upper surafce of soil.

At last the water of rain going into the inner surface of soil. The rain shadow wet to the desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the topic and report several central stages, including winds approaching the coast, air rising and cooling, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry winds moving inland. However, the account only partially represents the process and includes important inaccuracies: for example, “the rain covers the mostly one side of the sea” misplaces the rainfall, which occurs over the windward mountain side, and the final claim that rainwater goes into the soil and makes the desert “wet” is not shown and conflicts with the dry conditions described. There is also no clear overview of the overall contrast between the wet windward side and the dry leeward side. Focus on the diagram’s sequence and summarise that contrast without adding unsupported details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure, and sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “After this process,” and “At the end” help the reader follow parts of the process. The main stages are generally presented in sequence, which gives the account some organisation. However, progression is weakened by unclear links and repetition: “On the other sides of mountain” does not clearly connect the leeward side to the earlier rainfall, while “At last” introduces an unsupported ending rather than completing the diagram’s sequence. Some sentences also combine several stages without clear relationships. Group the description into the movement of moist air and rainfall, followed by the dry air’s journey inland, and use precise references to each side of the mountain.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “coast,” “mountains,” “moist air,” “clouds,” “leeward side,” and “inland areas,” so the reader can recognise the subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make the meaning unclear, such as “sea level touch with the coast,” “mountain push the wind,” and “the rain shadow wet to the desert.” Spelling errors, including “rainn,” “downwords,” and “surafce,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for standard process language and precise verbs: for example, say that mountains force air upwards, moisture condenses, and dry air descends on the leeward side. Avoid repeating “rain” where a more exact term such as “precipitation” or “rainfall” is appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt to describe a sequence using both simple sentences and linked clauses, as in “Moist air rises and cools the air and convert into the clouds.” However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes distort the intended relationships. Subject–verb agreement is inconsistent (“The diagram illustrate,” “The mountain are”), and verb forms are often incorrect (“the rain are falls,” “winds approach coast then mountain push”). Articles and sentence construction also need attention, as in “the one type of desert” and “the rain covers the mostly one side.” Most sentences rely on basic patterns, and attempts to combine stages are not reliably controlled. Practise accurate present-simple descriptions, checking each subject and verb, and use shorter sentences before adding subordinate clauses.

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