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 diagram show how one type of desert, khown as a rain shadow desert, is formed.

Over all diagram shows formation of a type of desert known as rain shadow forest,entire process contained seven steps which told us how winds from sea swept through cold mountain and rise ,when it reached other side of mountain it became dry and dry wind made rain shadow desert

Rain shadow forest composed of seven steps in first step wind from sea approachs mountain and pushes upward became moist and cools started to rise and formed cloud which result in rain fall became dry after that dry air continues over the mountain to leeward side when dry air reaches inland area this dry air formed extreme dry environment called rain shadow desert .This process started from sea wind passes through thousand of kilometers of mountain and after passes through mountains when it finally reached ground it makes dry desert

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main subject and describe the broad sequence from sea winds to the inland desert, including rising air, cloud formation, rainfall and dry air crossing the mountains. This gives the reader a relevant account of the process. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the diagram shows winds approaching the coast and being forced up the windward slope, not “cold mountain,” and the desert is called a rain-shadow desert, not a “rain shadow forest.” The overview also repeats the sequence rather than clearly summarising the key cause-and-effect pattern: moisture falls on the windward side, leaving dry air to descend or continue inland on the leeward side. Focus on accurate labels and make that contrast explicit.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 4.5

The response follows the process in roughly the correct order, and phrases such as “after that” and “when dry air reaches inland area” help signal sequence. However, the ideas are crowded into two long paragraphs, with the second sentence in the overview difficult to follow. The account also repeats the same stages in both paragraphs rather than developing them in a clear introduction, overview and ordered description. Linking is limited and sometimes mechanical, while references such as “it” and “this dry air” can make the subject unclear. Use separate, purposeful paragraphs and connect each stage with precise transitions, for example, “As the moist air rises, it cools and forms clouds; consequently, rain falls on the windward side.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist,” “leeward side,” “rain fall” and “inland area,” showing some awareness of the diagram’s terminology. However, the range is limited and several word-choice, spelling and collocation errors reduce precision. “Rain shadow forest” is an inaccurate label, “swept through cold mountain” does not express the process clearly, and “extreme dry environment” is an awkward phrase. There are also spelling errors such as “khown” and “approachs.” Aim to use the diagram’s exact terms consistently and choose natural process verbs such as “rise,” “cool,” “condense” and “descend.” This will make the description clearer without requiring more elaborate vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to combine stages using clauses such as “when it reached other side of mountain” and “when dry air reaches inland area,” but complex sentences are often faulty, and many basic errors make the process harder to follow. For example, “The diagram show” needs subject–verb agreement, while “winds … approachs” has an incorrect verb form. Articles and sentence boundaries are also problematic in phrases such as “reached other side of mountain” and in the long run-on sentence beginning “Rain shadow forest composed of seven steps.” Use shorter, controlled sentences first, checking agreement, articles and punctuation; then combine related stages with accurate clauses. This would improve clarity while retaining your attempts at varied structures.

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