Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-29

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 illustrates how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.

Overall, the diagram shows all process behind the formation of rain-shadow deserts. The process started from Winds approach coast and the last are Dry wind reached inland area. There are in seven steps.

First of all, When wids approach coast on the sea or the steps are wids pushed upwards, when this step are completed, the next are Moist air rises and cools on the windward side, and next are air transferred in the clouds. After this, the rain falls started on the mountain, the second last step are Dry air countinues over the mountain from the leeward side and the last step are dry winds reach inland area. Ater the all process, the formation of rain shadow deserts are started.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram’s subject and give the broad sequence from coastal winds to inland dry winds, including the key stages of rising air, cloud formation and rainfall. However, the overview is vague (“all process”) and the description does not clearly explain how losing moisture on the windward side leaves dry air to cross the mountains and create a rain-shadow desert inland. Some details are inaccurate or unclear, such as saying air is “transferred in the clouds.” The response also contains 124 words, below the required 150; the 13 words copied from the prompt are not counted. Develop the causal links and describe the windward and leeward sides more precisely to cover the process more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence, signalled by “First of all,” “After this,” and “the last step,” so the reader can recognise that the diagram describes stages. However, most information is compressed into one long paragraph, and the progression is difficult to follow because several stages are joined in awkward, repetitive clauses. For example, “when this step are completed, the next are…” does not clearly distinguish the stages. The overview is also separated from the main description without a clear paragraph structure. Use a brief overview paragraph followed by a logically ordered process paragraph, and connect each stage with accurate, varied transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” and “rain falls,” which helps establish the topic. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms make the description unclear: “air transferred in the clouds” does not accurately express cloud formation, while “the formation … are started” is an awkward way to describe the result. There are also noticeable spelling errors, such as “wids,” “countinues,” and “Ater.” Use precise process verbs and check spelling; for example, explain that moist air rises, cools and condenses, then that dry air descends or continues inland.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts to link stages in longer sentences, but the structures are often faulty, and errors sometimes make the sequence hard to interpret. Examples include “There are in seven steps,” “the next are Moist air rises,” and “the rain falls started.” Subject–verb agreement, verb forms and sentence construction are not controlled consistently. Capitalisation is also irregular, as in “First of all, When.” Most of the description relies on simple clauses joined by “and” or “when,” with little accurate variety. Build clearer sentences around one stage at a time, using consistent present simple forms such as “The winds rise,” “the air cools,” and “rain falls,” then proofread agreement and punctuation.

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

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