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 process of shadow desert formation.

Overall, the process consists of seven stages. It begins with winds approach coast and ends with dry winds reach inland areas. Sea and the mountain plays main role in forming the desert.

Initially, winds reach to sea. Next, winds pushed upwards to the mountains, after going up side the air cools and started forming clouds. On forth stage, when the clouds are fully completed, they started raining afterwards on the top of the mountain. The coastal winds have to travel toward the top of the mountain to form into the rainy clouds.

After the rain on the peak of the hills, dry air continues over the mountain to below side. Resultantly, the winds reach to land and started forming rain shadow desert, which is the last stage of the process. In this process winds have to travel thousands of kilometers. winds changing in to the clouds of rain takes more steps than it turns into the desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as having seven stages and give a basic account from approaching winds to the inland desert, so the central sequence is recognisable. However, several details are inaccurate or unclear: the winds approach from the sea rather than “reach to sea,” and the key explanation that moist air rises and cools before clouds form is only loosely described. The overview also says the sea and mountain play the main role, but does not clearly summarise the defining contrast between rain on the windward side and dry air on the leeward side. The final comparison about the winds taking “more steps” is not supported by the diagram. Include the causal stages more precisely and avoid adding comparisons not shown.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an opening, an overview and a broadly chronological description, which gives it some organisation. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “Next,” and “After” help the reader follow the process. However, progression is weakened by repeated information: the movement towards the mountain and cloud formation are described more than once, while the transition from rainfall to dry air is not clearly explained. Some links are awkward or unclear, particularly “On forth stage” and “Resultantly,” and the final sentence introduces an unrelated comparison. Use one clear paragraph for the overview and organise the stages in a single, uninterrupted sequence, with cause-and-effect links that show how rainfall produces dry air inland.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “winds,” “clouds,” “dry air,” “peak,” and “rain shadow desert,” and the reader can generally identify the topic. However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, such as “shadow desert formation,” “clouds are fully completed,” and “started forming rain shadow desert.” Repetition of “winds,” “mountain,” and “started” also reduces precision. Aim to use the diagram’s terms consistently, especially “rain-shadow desert,” “windward side,” and “leeward side,” and choose verbs that describe each stage directly. For example, clouds “form,” rain “falls,” and dry air “continues” inland; these are clearer and more appropriate than the current phrasing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and longer sentences, including a sequence with “after” and a clause beginning “when,” but control is inconsistent. Errors occur in basic verb forms and agreement: “winds approach coast,” “winds pushed upwards,” and “Sea and the mountain plays” need corrected articles, tense or agreement. The sentence “after going up side the air cools and started forming clouds” shifts tense and has an unclear structure, while “winds reach to land and started forming” repeats this problem. Articles and prepositions are also often missing or misplaced. Use the present simple consistently for a process, and check that each clause has a clear subject and correctly formed verb. Shorter, accurate sentences would make the stages easier to understand.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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