Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-05

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 5.5)

The diagram illustrates the formation of rain shadow deserts ,with how one type of desert known as a rain shadow desert formed.

overall , it is a cyclic process , which contains several steps to form a rain shadow deserts , it has seven steps from forming clouds to dry air over mountains which ends at drying winds and reach inland areas to form rain shadow desert.

The first step continues with wind approach from the sea coast ,then the winds pushed upwards to cool the moist air throught mountains . after cooling the air from windward side ,clouds form in fifth step cloud turn into rain , falling on mountains.

in the next step the air continues over mountains to leeward side then the air converted into dry winds which reaches to inland areas . in the final step dry winds reaches to inland areas and settle down the particles in inland .The whole process continues and travel thousands of kilometres to form a rain shadow desert .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a process and include several key stages: winds arrive from the sea, rise over the mountains, clouds form, rain falls, and dry air moves inland. However, the overview is not fully accurate: this is a linear process, not “cyclic,” and the sequence is confused when you say clouds form “in fifth step.” The diagram shows moist air rising and cooling before clouds form and rain falls on the windward side; these stages need clearer, accurate reporting. The final explanation also adds that winds “settle down the particles,” which is not shown. To strengthen the response, summarise the overall cause-and-effect clearly, then describe the stages in their correct order without adding unsupported details.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic paragraph structure, with an introduction, an overview, and descriptions of the process, and it uses sequence markers such as “The first step” and “in the next step.” However, progression is weakened by inaccurate or repetitive sequencing: the overview says the process ends with dry winds reaching inland, but the final paragraph repeats this as both the next and final step. Some links are also unclear, particularly “after cooling the air from windward side, clouds form in fifth step.” Organise the stages in one continuous sequence and use paragraphing to separate the overview from the detailed account. More precise references to each stage would make the relationships easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “clouds,” and “rain shadow desert,” which helps communicate the topic. However, the range is limited and several phrases are awkward or imprecise, such as “wind approach from the sea coast,” “the air converted into dry winds,” and “settle down the particles.” Repetition of “inland areas” and “dry winds” also limits flexibility. Choose verbs that describe the diagram’s actions precisely, and use natural collocations for movement and weather processes. Check spelling and word forms as well, including “through” rather than “throught” and consistent use of “rain-shadow desert.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a sentence beginning “which contains several steps” and a sequence joined with “then.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make the process difficult to follow. Examples include “winds approach” where the sentence requires a complete, correctly formed clause, “the winds pushed upwards” without consistent tense, and “dry winds reaches,” where the subject and verb do not agree. Articles and sentence boundaries also need attention, as in “from windward side ,clouds form.” Use present simple consistently for a process diagram, check singular and plural agreement, and divide long sequences into complete sentences. These corrections would make your meaning clearer while retaining some complex structures.

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