Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-16

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 layout the steps involved in the formation of rain-shadow desert.There is atleast thousands of kilometres distance between the start and ending of whole process and distance is usually covered with mountains.

The wind over the coast of sea gets moist and rises.As it moves up,it becomes cool and forms cloud which travel some distance and ultimately it rains. The air which was moist now becomes dry and continues over mountain.Ultimately, dry wind reaches inland areas and form rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the overall process and include its main outcome: dry air reaches inland and a rain-shadow desert forms. However, the account is very brief and covers the stages only partially. It omits the key explanation that mountains force moist air upwards, and does not clearly describe the windward and leeward sides or the location of rainfall. The claim that the wind “gets moist” over the coast is less precise than the diagram, which shows winds approaching from the sea before rising. The response also does not meet the 150-word minimum, so there is little room to select and report the main features fully. Add a clear overview and explain each stage in sequence, including the contrast between the wet windward side and dry inland area.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The ideas follow the broad sequence of the diagram: coastal air rises, clouds form, rain falls, and dry air continues inland. This gives the reader a basic sense of progression, and “As it moves up” and “Ultimately” help connect stages. However, the response is presented as one paragraph, and the links between some events are compressed or unclear—for example, “forms cloud which travel some distance and ultimately it rains” does not clearly show where the clouds form or where the rain falls. The opening sentence also runs directly into the next without adequate punctuation. Organise the response into an introduction, an overview, and a sequenced description, using clear links such as “as a result” and “on the leeward side” where they clarify relationships.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use several relevant terms, including “moist,” “dry,” “inland areas,” and “rain-shadow desert,” so the basic process is understandable. The vocabulary range is nevertheless limited, with repeated reliance on simple words such as “wind,” “forms,” and “reaches.” Some choices are imprecise or awkward: “the wind over the coast of sea gets moist” does not accurately express the diagram’s movement of winds from the sea, while “distance is usually covered with mountains” is unclear. Use more precise process vocabulary, such as “prevailing winds,” “rise over the mountain range,” “condense,” and “precipitation,” while ensuring each term matches the diagram. Also check word forms and spelling, including “at least” as two words.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response communicates a simple sequence using both short statements and a few linked clauses, such as “As it moves up, it becomes cool and forms cloud.” However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and errors occur often enough to make parts awkward. The opening, “The diagram layout the steps,” is missing a verb form; “There is atleast thousands” has incorrect agreement; and “dry wind reaches inland areas and form” has a subject–verb agreement error. Articles and plurals also need attention in “forms cloud” and “rain-shadow desert.” Punctuation spacing is inconsistent, with missing spaces after full stops and commas. Practise accurate complex sentences and check each clause for a clear subject, correct verb agreement, and appropriate articles.

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