Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-04

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 chart illustrates the foramtion of rain-shadow deserts from a desert.

Overall, these stage include 7 steps with proper guidance how a rain forest is formed.

At the first glance, the mountain situation in sea coast spread thousand of kilometres initially, some high winds approaching the coast area beneath the mountain then the winds blows upside the mountain. After approaching winds to upper side of mounatin moist air cools and rise result clouds formation then rain falls from top of it.

Afterward, dry air continues over mountain which delivar the air downward after delevering the air downside dry winds approach inland areas where rain shadow desert is situated and this is process regarding how rain-shadow moiuntains are formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the process as involving seven stages and include several central events, such as moist air rising and cooling, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry winds reaching inland areas. However, the overview is inaccurate: the diagram shows how a rain-shadow desert forms, not how a rainforest forms, and the final sentence refers to rain-shadow mountains. Some stages are also unclear or misrepresented, including the claim that the mountain situation “spread thousand of kilometres”; the scale label refers to the horizontal distance. The response addresses the process only partially, with limited explanation of how the mountain creates a dry leeward area. It is also 31 words below the required minimum. To improve, give an accurate overview and explain the sequence and outcome more fully using the diagram’s labels.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic sequence: it begins with the overall process, then describes the windward stages and moves to dry air and the inland desert. “Afterward” helps signal the transition to the later stages. However, the progression is not consistently clear because several stages are compressed into long, loosely connected sentences, and phrases such as “after approaching winds to upper side” make the order difficult to follow. The opening overview also conflicts with the later description by referring to a rainforest. Use separate paragraphs for the overview and the stages, and connect each step with clear sequencing language such as “as a result” and “once the air crosses the mountain.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “clouds formation,” “dry air,” and “inland areas,” which helps communicate the topic. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate enough to make parts difficult to understand. For example, “mountain situation … spread” does not describe the diagram clearly, while “delivar the air downward” is not an appropriate way to express the movement of dry air. There are also spelling errors such as “foramtion,” “mounatin,” and “moiuntains.” Aim for precise process verbs and check spelling: for example, say that moist air “rises,” “cools,” and “condenses,” and that dry air “descends” on the leeward side.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to combine stages in longer sentences, but the response relies on a limited range of structures, and errors frequently make relationships between ideas unclear. For instance, “these stage include 7 steps” has a number-agreement error, while “the winds blows” has incorrect subject–verb agreement. The sentence beginning “After approaching winds to upper side” lacks a clear grammatical structure, and the final sentence contains several clauses joined without clear control. Use straightforward passive forms where appropriate, such as “The winds are forced upwards” and “Rain falls on the windward side,” then build longer sentences only when the links between clauses are clear. Check articles, plurals, and verb agreement during revision.

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