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 below shows only one type of desert which is formed and known as a rain shadow desert.

overall,the diagram illustrates information about whole process of rain formation step by step within specific time frame.Firstly, winds approach coast line side and pushed upwards.this phenomenon makes air moist and icreased it as cool,which leads to clouds formed and the rain have started on this level.

on the othe hand,dry air flows continusouly over mountains heights,its called leeward side of the air.through this process dry winds reach inland areas which cause rain shadow desert.both process has shared almost thousand of kilometers distance.the coast line and beach side shows the process of how clouds form and made it ready for rain,additionally uphill mountains presents anothe different process of rain shadow deserts.winds reached inland areas which creates this sudden changed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main sequence: winds approach the coast, rise over the mountains, produce clouds and rain, and then continue inland as dry winds associated with the desert. This is relevant coverage, but the account is only partial and some stages are unclear or inaccurate. For example, “increased it as cool” does not clearly explain that moist air rises and cools, while “the rain have started on this level” gives little detail about rainfall on the windward side. The overview also calls this a process “within specific time frame,” although no time frame is shown. The response is 138 words, below the required 150. To strengthen the report, describe the stages more precisely and include the contrast between the wet windward side and dry leeward side.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

There is a basic sequence, and phrases such as “Firstly” and “on the other hand” show an attempt to guide the reader through the process. However, the progression is not consistently clear: the opening overview is followed by a long first section, then a second section that repeats the inland outcome and adds less relevant comments about the coast and mountains. Some links are also inaccurate or confusing, particularly “both process has shared almost thousand of kilometers distance.” Use separate, purposeful paragraphs for the overview and the stages, and connect each stage directly to the next. Clearer referencing—for example, specifying that the air continues over the mountain—would make the explanation easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use several relevant terms, including “moist air,” “leeward side,” “inland areas,” and “rain shadow desert,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and some word choices or combinations are imprecise, such as “coast line side,” “mountains heights,” and “sudden changed.” Spelling errors, including “icreased,” “continusouly,” and “anothe,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process vocabulary and natural collocations, rather than repeating general words such as “process.” For instance, describe air as rising, cooling, and losing moisture, and refer to the mountain’s windward and leeward slopes. This would make the account more concise and technically clear.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts to combine stages using clauses such as “which leads to clouds formed,” but the structures are often faulty, and the range remains limited. Errors in verb forms and sentence construction occur throughout: “winds … pushed upwards” lacks a correctly formed passive verb, “the rain have started” has incorrect agreement, and “winds reached inland areas which creates” shifts tense and has an unclear clause connection. Punctuation and capitalisation are also inconsistent, with several sentences joined by commas and missing spaces after full stops. Practise accurate passive forms and present simple descriptions of processes, such as “the winds are forced upwards” and “the air cools, forming clouds.” Shorter, correctly punctuated sentences would improve clarity.

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