Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-20

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 figure illustrate explain the formation of rain-shadow deserts how they are formed. This diagram explains the complete phenoma regarding the formation of rain-shadow deserts.

Rain-shadow deserts formation involve multiple steps and each step itself have extensive important. Rain-deserts formation process begin at sea. First step is in this formation are winds that approach coast. Once they approach the coast, winds are pushed upwards towards mountains as the formation also involve mountains. Once the wind is pushed upwards, Moist of air rises which is eventually the essential phenomena for the formation for rain clouds. Once the clouds are formed, then it rains. We have two sides windward side and leeward side. Rain fall happens in windward side.

After the rainfall process is complete, the 6th step in this formation is the dry air that continues over mountains towards leeward side and eventually dry winds reach the inland areas. The distance between sea and inland consist of thousands of kilometers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main sequence from coastal winds to inland dry winds, and you correctly mention the windward and leeward sides and the broad distance shown. However, the account only partly explains the process: the key causal link—that moist air rises, cools, and produces clouds and rain on the windward side, leaving dry air to cross the mountains—is not clearly stated. The opening repeats the task rather than giving a concise overview of the overall transformation. Some descriptions are also vague, such as “the formation also involve mountains,” and the final point about thousands of kilometres is not connected clearly to the diagram’s scale. To strengthen the response, summarise the overall pattern first, then report each stage accurately and explain how rainfall on one side leads to aridity inland.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic sequence, using “First,” “Once,” “After,” and “eventually” to guide the reader through the stages. The division into two paragraphs also separates the earlier stages from the movement of dry air. However, progression is not consistently clear because several ideas are repeated or loosely connected: the opening says the diagram explains the formation twice, and “as the formation also involve mountains” interrupts the process description. Some references, such as “the 6th step in this formation,” make the account sound like a list rather than a connected explanation. Organise the response around a clear overview followed by the windward and leeward stages, and use linking phrases to show cause and result, not just sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “approach,” “pushed upwards,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” and “inland areas,” so the reader can recognise the main subject and stages. There is also an attempt to use more formal terms such as “phenomena.” However, word choice and collocation are often inaccurate or repetitive: “Rain-deserts formation,” “each step itself have extensive important,” and “the essential phenomena for the formation for rain clouds” are unclear or unnatural. “Moist of air” is also an inaccurate expression. Aim for precise process language and avoid repeating “formation”; for example, describe air as “moist,” say it “cools and condenses,” and refer to “precipitation” or “rainfall” where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including clauses beginning with “Once” and “After,” which helps convey sequence. However, control is inconsistent, and errors in agreement, articles, sentence construction, and punctuation sometimes make the meaning difficult to follow. Examples include “The given figure illustrate,” “each step itself have,” and “Rain fall happens in windward side.” The sentence “First step is in this formation are winds that approach coast” has a faulty structure, while “Moist of air rises which is eventually…” does not form a clear grammatical relationship between ideas. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement and article use, and build longer sentences around a clear main clause. For instance: “As moist air rises over the mountains, it cools and forms clouds.”

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