Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-23

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 EXPLAINS THE FORMATION OF RAIN-SHADOW DESERT WHEN THE MOIST AIR TRAVELS FROM COASTLINE TO THE INLAND AREAS.

OVERALL, THE PROCESS INCLUDE SEVEN STAGES TO FORM RAIN DESERT FOREST ON INLAND AREA THAT ARE THOUSAND OF KILOMETERS AWAY FROMTHE COASTLINE.

AT FIRST STAGE, THE MOIST WIND FROM THE SEA APPROACHES COASTLINE. AT SECOND STAGE THE MOIST AIR IS FORCED TO MOVE UP AND AT THE NEXT IT ALLOWS TO COOLS DOWN DUE TO TEMPERATURE FALL AT THE WINDWARD SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. AT STAGE FOUR, MOIST WIND DUE TO TEMPERATURE FALL CONDENSE TO FORM HEAVY CLOUDS.

AT STAGE FIVE, THESE HEAVY CLOUDS RESULT IN HEAVY RAINFALLS AT THE SUMMIT OF THE MOUNTAIN. AT NEXT STAGE, DUE TO RAINFALL THE WIND LOST ITS MOISTURE AND BECOME DRY. THIS DRY AIR CONTINUES

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the general process and report several relevant stages, including winds approaching the coast, air rising on the windward side, cloud formation, rainfall, and air becoming dry. However, the response is incomplete: it stops at “This dry air continues” and does not explain that the dry winds cross the mountain and reach inland areas where the rain-shadow desert forms. The overview also inaccurately calls the result a “rain desert forest,” and the claim that the desert is thousands of kilometres from the coast is not clearly supported; the diagram labels the horizontal scale as thousands of kilometres. The required minimum of 150 words is not met. To address the task more fully, complete the final stages and give an accurate overview of the full sequence.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The stages are presented in a broadly chronological order, and phrases such as “At first stage,” “At second stage,” and “At stage five” help the reader follow the sequence. The opening overview also gives the response a basic structure. However, the repeated stage-by-stage openings make the progression mechanical, and the response ends abruptly in the middle of the final explanation. Paragraphing is limited, with the overview and process details not clearly separated. Use a concise overview paragraph followed by a logically grouped description of the stages, and connect related events with varied links such as “as a result” or “once the air crosses the mountain.” Ensure the final sentence completes the process.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “coastline,” “windward side,” “summit,” “moisture,” and “rainfall,” which shows some awareness of the topic. However, several word choices or forms are inaccurate and sometimes obscure the intended meaning: “rain desert forest” conflicts with the diagram’s rain-shadow desert, “heavy rainfalls” is unnatural here, and “the wind lost its moisture” is imprecise. There is also repetition of “moist air/wind” and “stage.” Choose precise terms from the diagram and vary the process vocabulary—for example, describe air as “losing moisture” and then “descending as dry air” on the leeward side. Check spelling and spacing, including “fromthe.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and more complex sentences, including a cause-and-effect construction with “due to temperature fall.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors occur in basic agreement, articles, verb forms, and sentence construction. Examples include “the process include seven stages,” “it allows to cools down,” “condense to form,” and “the wind lost its moisture and become dry.” The opening sentence also lacks a clear article before “rain-shadow desert.” These errors make some relationships harder to follow, while the final sentence is incomplete. Practise accurate present-simple descriptions of processes, such as “the air rises and cools,” and check that each sentence has a complete subject and verb with consistent agreement.

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