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 process chart illustrates howto fall rain shadow desert.

overall, picture show a 7 important point , mountain and inland and explain how looks rain in mountain.

firstly, in the sea side winds approch coast in mountain side or air pushed upward dairaction. However windward side most of wind convert in moist air and cooling and this air change in cloud from.

secondly, clouds fly over the mountain and fall rain in top of the mountain.

Therefore dry air made and flying countinues or traveling leeward side wich is located in right side of mountain. while whole water using mountain road and reach back to the sea wich is located in left side mountain.

finally, Dry air travel thousands of kilometres after that it is reach in inland wich is located in opposite of mountain there rais fall. However whole dry air travel in opposite direction which is call Rain shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland, and mention the windward and leeward sides. This gives the response relevant coverage of the process. However, several details are unclear or inaccurate: “whole water using mountain road and reach back to the sea” is not shown in the diagram, and the rain is described as falling “in top of the mountain” rather than on the windward side. The overview, “explain how looks rain in mountain,” does not clearly summarise the key cause-and-effect pattern: moist air rises, cools and produces rain, leaving dry air to continue inland and create a rain-shadow desert. State that overall pattern clearly, then report the stages accurately without adding unsupported movement of water.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence, signalled by “firstly,” “secondly,” “therefore” and “finally,” and it generally follows the diagram from the coast towards inland. These markers help the reader recognise that this is a process description. However, progression is not consistently clear because some links are inaccurate or confusing, particularly “while whole water using mountain road and reach back to the sea,” which interrupts the sequence. The opening overview is also difficult to interpret, and several ideas are crowded into long sentences. Organise the account into a clear introduction and overview followed by stages in order, and use linking words only when they express the actual relationship between stages.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “winds,” “moist air,” “clouds,” “dry air,” “windward side” and “leeward side.” These terms show awareness of the diagram’s subject. However, the range and control are limited, with frequent spelling errors and imprecise or unnatural phrases such as “clouds fly,” “mountain road” and “how looks rain in mountain.” Some errors make the intended meaning difficult to follow. Aim to use the diagram’s precise terms and natural process collocations, such as air “rises,” “cools,” and “continues across” the mountain. Check spelling carefully, especially for key words, so the reader can follow the stages without having to infer your meaning.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt to connect ideas in longer sentences, for example with “However,” “while” and “after that,” but these structures are often not controlled, and sentence boundaries are unclear. Errors in verb forms and sentence construction appear in phrases such as “picture show,” “air pushed upward” and “it is reach in inland.” Articles, agreement and punctuation also need attention; for instance, the opening “The given process chart illustrates howto fall…” is not a complete, well-formed description. Most sentences require the reader to work out the intended meaning. Practise building accurate simple sentences first, then combine stages using clauses such as “As the moist air rises, it cools and forms clouds.”

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.