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 following diagram represent how to formed the rain-shadow desert. Winds approach coast created from the top surface of the sea and winds pushed upwards slowely when wind reach to the windward side the air gradually moist air rises and cools form clouds on the top of the mountains rain falls . Dry air continues over mountain move downward leewar side and dry winds reach inland areas on rain-shadow desert along thousands of kilometres awy.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the main process and include several relevant stages: winds approach the coast, rise on the windward side, clouds form, rain falls, and dry air moves inland to the desert. However, the account is extremely brief and does not clearly explain the overall cause-and-effect pattern or distinguish the windward and leeward sides in a complete summary. The phrase “created from the top surface of the sea” is not supported by the diagram, which simply shows winds approaching from the sea. The response also falls 75 words short of the required minimum, leaving important stages and relationships underdeveloped. To improve, provide a clear overview and explain each stage in sequence using the diagram’s labels accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The stages are presented broadly in the correct order, so a reader can recognise the intended process. However, nearly the entire response is one long sentence, with little punctuation to separate the stages. This makes the progression difficult to follow, particularly in “the air gradually moist air rises and cools form clouds … rain falls.” There are no paragraph breaks or clear linking expressions to show how one event leads to the next. Organise the response into a short introduction and overview, followed by a sequence paragraph. Use simple connectors such as “as a result,” “then,” and “finally,” and punctuate each stage so the process is easier to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use several relevant terms from the diagram, including “windward side,” “clouds,” “rain falls,” “dry air,” and “inland areas.” This gives the response some task-specific vocabulary. However, the range is limited, and several word choices or spellings reduce clarity: “created from the top surface,” “slowely,” “leewar,” and “awy.” Some phrases are also imprecise, such as “move downward leewar side,” rather than clearly describing air passing over the mountain to the leeward side. Build a more accurate process vocabulary and check spelling. Useful alternatives include “originate over the sea,” “ascend,” “precipitation,” and “travel across the mountain range.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts to describe a sequence, but it relies on one extended sentence and shows very limited control of sentence structure. Errors occur in verb forms and agreement, as in “diagram represent” and “how to formed,” and the clause “winds approach coast created” does not form a clear grammatical relationship. Missing articles and punctuation also make the stages run together: “when wind reach to the windward side the air gradually moist air rises and cools form clouds.” These problems sometimes obscure how the process works. Use present simple forms consistently, for example, “The diagram shows how a rain-shadow desert forms,” and write each stage as a complete sentence with appropriate articles and punctuation.

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