Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-25

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 rain-shadow desert wad formed when the wind started approaching the coast, while it was approaching the coast he wind started to push upwards while the moist rises to the air and cools off resultibg the formation of louds collecting raindrops until the clouds are too heavy to hold it, that's when the rain starts to fall. When the dry air continues over the mountain making the dry winds reach inland areas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the general process and include several relevant stages: wind approaches the coast, rises, moisture cools, clouds form, rain falls, and dry air moves inland. However, the account is very brief and does not provide a clear overview of the full process or explain the key contrast between the wet windward side and the dry leeward side where the desert forms. The final stage is only partly reported, and the mountain’s role is not clearly described. The response also falls well short of the required 150 words, leaving important features undeveloped. To improve, give an opening summary and describe the stages in order, including the rain-shadow desert’s inland location.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The stages are presented in roughly the correct sequence, and the response uses a few links such as “while” and “when” to connect events. This gives the reader a basic sense of how the process unfolds. However, nearly all the information is compressed into one long sentence, so the progression is difficult to follow and the relationships between stages are not always clear. For example, the transition from clouds forming to rain falling is joined to the earlier stages without clear sentence boundaries. Organise the response into a short introduction, an overview, and a step-by-step description. Use clear sequencing expressions such as “as a result” and “after crossing the mountain” where they accurately show the process.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “coast,” “moist,” “clouds,” “dry air,” and “inland areas,” which helps communicate the topic. However, the range is limited, and several spelling or word-choice errors make parts difficult to understand, such as “wad,” “resultibg,” and “louds.” Some phrasing is also imprecise: “the clouds are too heavy to hold it” is not shown in the diagram and is less suitable than describing rain falling from the clouds. Aim for accurate terms such as “moist air,” “precipitation,” “windward side,” and “leeward side.” Proofread carefully, and choose vocabulary that reports only the stages and features shown.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts to connect several stages in a complex sentence, but the sentence structure is often faulty and makes the sequence hard to interpret. For instance, “while it was approaching the coast he wind started to push upwards” contains an unclear clause connection, and “while the moist rises to the air and cools off” lacks a clear grammatical subject and uses an incorrect structure. The final clause, “When the dry air continues over the mountain making the dry winds reach inland areas,” is also incomplete. Sentence boundaries and punctuation are limited, and verb forms are not consistently controlled. Use shorter, complete sentences first, then add a few accurate clauses to show cause and sequence.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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