Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-01

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 below gives information of the process of rain shadow desert formation. Overall, wind and is the main factor that can facilitate rain-shadow desert formartion.

To begin, in the windward side, the wind approach the sea through the coast area then it is pushed upwards where moist air rises and cools. Clounds are formed hence bringing rain. In contrast on the leeward side, dry air continues to flow down over the mountain anf further down to the inland areas hence rain shadow formation.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.0

You identify the process as rain-shadow desert formation and include several relevant stages: moist air rises and cools, clouds form, rain falls, and dry air moves inland. However, the response reports the diagram only minimally and does not clearly explain the full sequence or the resulting contrast between the wet windward side and dry leeward side. The overview that wind is the main factor is broad and does not summarise the key cause-and-effect pattern. Some details are also unclear, such as saying the wind approaches “the sea through the coast area.” The response is 84 words, below the required 150, which contributes to the limited coverage. To improve, describe each stage accurately and explain how rainfall on the windward side leaves dry winds to reach inland areas and create the desert.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure: an opening and overview are followed by a paragraph describing the process. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin” and the contrast marker “In contrast” help the reader distinguish the windward and leeward sides. However, the progression is compressed, and the stages are not consistently linked in a clear sequence. The sentence beginning “To begin” combines several steps, while “hence bringing rain” and “hence rain shadow formation” make the cause-and-effect links feel abrupt. The overview also does not lead into a sufficiently developed account. Use separate, logically ordered sentences for the rising air, cloud formation and rainfall, then the movement of dry air inland; this would make the progression clearer without relying on repeated “hence.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “dry air,” and “inland areas,” which helps communicate the topic. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “gives information of,” “wind approach the sea through the coast area,” and “rain shadow formation.” There are also spelling errors, including “Clounds” and “formartion,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process language and standard collocations, for example, “the diagram illustrates,” “winds blow in from the sea,” and “a rain-shadow desert forms.” Proofreading spelling and using the diagram’s labels consistently would make the description more natural and precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes a few sentence forms, including an overview sentence and a longer sentence that links stages with “where” and “hence.” The main meaning is generally understandable, but grammatical control is uneven. For example, “wind … is the main factor” has an agreement problem, and “the wind approach” should use a plural subject with “approach” or a singular subject with “approaches.” The phrase “in the windward side” also uses an incorrect article-preposition pattern. The long process sentence is difficult to control, and “dry air continues to flow down over the mountain anf further down” does not clearly express the sequence. Practise accurate subject–verb agreement and build the process description from shorter, complete sentences before adding complex links.

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