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 depicts how one type of dessert known as a rain-shadow dessert, is formed.It consist of several steps,from how wind approaches to the coast till the formation of rain shadow in dessert.

When wind approaches the coast near the sea then it pushed towards the upward side which led the air moisten and rises,cooled towards windward side of the mountains and causes the formation of clouds.As soon as clouds are formed near the mountains resulting in the formation of rain.However, rain falls on the leeward side of the mountains.Additionally, dry air continues to blow over the mountains.Due to the flow of continuous dry winds which are then reached to inland coastal

areas.After reaching the inland areas, rain shadow dessert is formed covering thousands of kilometers toward the

coast

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the process and describe several relevant stages, including wind approaching the coast, air rising and cooling, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry air moving inland. However, the account contains an important factual error: it says rain falls on the leeward side, whereas the diagram places rainfall above the windward side. The overview is also limited, and the final claim that the desert covers thousands of kilometres toward the coast misreads the scale, which indicates horizontal distance. The response does not meet the 150-word minimum, so the process is only minimally covered and some stages and relationships remain unclear. To improve, give a concise overview of the windward-to-leeward sequence and accurately describe where rain falls and where the desert forms.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The stages are presented broadly in sequence, and linking expressions such as “When,” “As soon as,” “Additionally,” and “After reaching” help the reader follow the process. The response also separates its opening from the main description. However, the progression becomes difficult to track in places: “As soon as clouds are formed near the mountains resulting in the formation of rain” is not a complete, clearly connected sentence, and the final sentence combines dry winds, inland areas, and desert formation without clear relationships. Some transitions are mechanical or do not accurately signal the process. Use one paragraph for an overview and another for the stages, and connect each stage with precise sequencing language so the explanation progresses clearly from sea to inland.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “mountains,” “moisten,” “formation,” and “continuous dry winds,” showing an attempt to describe the diagram rather than relying only on basic words. However, spelling and word choice errors are noticeable and sometimes distract from the meaning. In particular, “dessert” is repeatedly used instead of “desert,” and “rain shadow in dessert” is not a natural phrase. Expressions such as “pushed towards the upward side” and “inland coastal areas” are imprecise or confusing. Aim for accurate geographical terms and natural collocations, such as “is forced upwards,” “rain falls on the windward slope,” and “dry air moves inland.” Proofreading spelling carefully would also make the description clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, using clauses introduced by “When,” “which,” and “After,” and the general sequence can usually be understood. However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and punctuation occur frequently. For example, “it pushed towards the upward side” needs a passive verb form, while “It consist” has incorrect subject–verb agreement. The sentence beginning “As soon as clouds are formed” is a fragment, and several sentences run together without appropriate spaces after punctuation. Practise writing complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check agreement and tense. Shorter, accurately punctuated sentences would help you explain each stage more reliably.

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