Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-26

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 demonstratesone type of desert known asa rain shadow desert is formed.

Overall, the formation of rain shadow deserts has seven stages. start with winds approach coast and then to converts moistair rises and cools and rain falls in the mountain and dry winds reach inland areas.

To being with, the formation of rain shadow deserts to start winds approach coast sea and then winds pushed upwards to the mountains. Moister air rises and cools windwards side converted to clouds form to the peak of mountains. Then the rain falls is start and water directly to hit to top of the mountains.

Turning to the main sixth stage, dry air continues over mountain to leeward side and dry winds reach inland areas. The formation of rain-shadow deserts again continue thse process and the formation of rain shadow deserts thousands of kilometres.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the process as the formation of a rain-shadow desert and mention several key stages, including coastal winds, rising and cooling air, rainfall, and dry winds reaching inland. However, the account is only partial: the overview does not clearly summarise how moisture is lost on the windward side and dry air then crosses the mountains to create the desert on the leeward side. Some details are inaccurate or unclear, such as saying water “directly” hits the mountain top. The final sentence about the process continuing for thousands of kilometres does not explain the diagram’s scale. The response is also below the required 150 words. To improve, describe the full cause-and-effect sequence accurately and make the overall result explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has paragraph breaks and uses sequencing expressions such as “To being with,” “Then,” and “Turning to,” so the reader can recognise an attempt to organise the stages. However, progression is difficult to follow because several stages are compressed into unclear sentences, particularly the overview: “start with winds approach coast and then to converts moistair rises and cools.” The final paragraph also repeats the process name rather than bringing the explanation to a clear conclusion. Some linking phrases are inaccurate or do not show the relationship between ideas. Organise the response into a concise overview followed by a step-by-step account, using clear links such as “as a result” to show cause and effect.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” and “dry winds,” which helps identify important parts of the diagram. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms make the description difficult to understand: “converts moistair,” “water directly to hit,” and “the formation … again continue thse process.” There are also spelling and spacing problems, including “thse” and “moistair.” Aim for precise process verbs and natural collocations, and avoid repeating “the formation of rain shadow deserts” when a pronoun or a specific stage name would be clearer. Proofreading spelling and spacing would also make the vocabulary easier to read.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

There is an attempt to use both simple and linked sentences, but control is weak and errors frequently obscure the sequence. For example, “Overall, the formation … has seven stages. start with winds approach coast” has an incomplete sentence and inconsistent verb forms. In “Moister air rises and cools windwards side converted to clouds form,” the clauses are not joined grammatically, and the relationship between the air, the mountains, and cloud formation is unclear. Articles and prepositions are also often missing, as in “approach coast” and “in the mountain.” Use complete sentences with a consistent present simple tense, and check subject–verb structure, articles, and punctuation. Short, accurate sentences would be a useful foundation before adding more complex structures.

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