Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-27

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 image shows the information of some type of desert, that is fromed and known as the rain shadow desert. This desert is fromed by various process and it is thousands of kilometers long.

In this process, there are total seven stages, and each stage forms different type of combination with each other. If we know to first step, there are sea by which winds approach the coast, and the wind pushed to upward direction along with the mountain. In the third step, the moist air rises and it will cools the whole winds, that comes form the clouds and forms rain.

Further in next step, the ice that is freeze on the top of moutain melts with the rain and moving to the lessward side along dry air, then this dry winds reach to the inland areas to the below side of the mountain.

In conclusion, the whole process forms the rain shadow desert that is thousands of kilometers longed way.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the subject and give the broad sequence, including winds approaching the coast, rising over the mountain, rain falling, and dry winds reaching inland. However, the account only partially reports the diagram’s key features and includes a major unsupported detail: “ice” melting on the mountain is not shown. The explanation also blurs the stages by saying the air “forms rain” rather than clearly stating that clouds form and precipitation falls on the windward side. The overview that the process creates a rain-shadow desert is present, but the role of the mountain in separating the wet windward side from the dry leeward side is not clearly explained. To strengthen the response, describe these contrasts accurately and avoid adding processes absent from the visual.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure: an introduction, a description of stages, and a concluding sentence. It also uses sequence markers such as “In this process,” “In the third step,” and “Further,” which help signal order. However, progression is not consistently clear because several stages are combined or described inaccurately in the same sentence, particularly the account of clouds, rain, and the supposed melting ice. Phrases such as “each stage forms different type of combination with each other” do not clarify how the stages connect, and “In conclusion” repeats the opening idea rather than adding a useful summary. Organise the body in the diagram’s sequence and use clear links to distinguish the windward and leeward stages.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “coast,” “mountain,” “moist air,” “dry winds,” and “inland areas,” so the reader can recognise the general subject. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or unclear, such as “forms different type of combination,” “lessward side,” and “thousands of kilometers longed way.” Spelling errors in “fromed,” “moutain,” and “form” also reduce precision. The phrase “ice that is freeze” introduces an unsupported feature and makes the process harder to understand. Aim for accurate process language such as “is forced upwards,” “cools,” “precipitation,” and “leeward side,” and check spelling and word forms carefully.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including clauses linked with “and,” “that,” and “which.” However, complex sentences are often faulty, and frequent errors sometimes make the sequence difficult to follow. For example, “the wind pushed to upward direction” has an incorrect verb form and sentence pattern, while “it will cools” combines incompatible verb forms. In “the ice that is freeze … melts … and moving,” the relative clause and coordinated verbs are not grammatically controlled. Articles and agreement are also inconsistent, as in “forms different type” and “the whole winds.” Use a consistent present simple for a process description and build shorter, accurate sentences before attempting longer clauses.

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