Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-14

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 process represents one variety of desert, know as a rain-shadow region, is formed.

Overall, it can be noticed that, There are 7 stages that make rain-shadow desert. The process belong to coast to inland.

To begin with,in the first stage, which is the sea water to create the winds such as, winds approach coast, after that, a winds pushed into the uper side. To continuous, the winds get to warm which is moist air rises and cools then, create the cloulds form after that, rain falls in the land. Though this process is windward side process.

On the other hand, it is leeward side such as, down side process. Eventually, the mountains created. The sixth step is dry air continues over the mountain, and the next step is dry wind reach inland areas after that made by a inland. Moreover, the sea and the inland area is too much far around thousand of kilometres.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a process and give a broad overview that it has seven stages and moves from the coast towards inland areas. You also mention several key events, including clouds forming, rainfall, and dry air crossing the mountain. However, some stages are misrepresented or unclear: the winds are not described as becoming warm, and the mountains do not form during the process; they are already present and force moist air upwards. The explanation of the leeward side and the desert’s formation is especially underdeveloped, ending with the unclear phrase “after that made by a inland.” To improve, report the sequence accurately and explain the contrast between rain on the windward side and dry conditions inland.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence, with an opening, an overview, and paragraphs that attempt to describe the windward and leeward sides. This gives the reader some sense of the process’s direction. However, progression is often difficult to follow because several stages are compressed into long, loosely connected sentences. Linking phrases such as “after that,” “to continuous,” and “on the other hand” are repetitive or do not clearly express the relationship between ideas. The shift to the leeward side is abrupt, and references such as “this process” and “it” are not always precise. Use one clear stage at a time, with accurate sequencing language, and organise the description into a logical progression from sea to inland desert.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “rain falls,” and “dry air continues over the mountain.” These terms show awareness of the diagram’s subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms make the meaning unclear, such as “the sea water to create the winds,” “a winds pushed into the uper side,” and “made by a inland.” There are also spelling errors, including “know,” “cloulds,” and “uper.” Aim for precise verbs and natural collocations when describing movement and cause: for example, winds approach the coast, air rises, and moisture is released as rain. Proofreading technical terms and common words would also improve clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt to use sequencing clauses and relative clauses, as in “the first stage, which is…” and “which is moist air rises and cools,” but these structures are often incomplete or incorrectly joined. Sentence boundaries and punctuation are also unreliable, particularly in the long sentence beginning “To begin with,” which combines several stages without clear grammatical links. There are recurring problems with articles, agreement, and verb forms, as in “a winds pushed,” “the mountains created,” and “the sea and the inland area is.” These errors sometimes make the process difficult to understand. Build accuracy with shorter sentences first, then add controlled clauses using patterns such as “As moist air rises, it cools and clouds form.”

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