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 illustrate the form of desert and how the desert is formed as a rain-shadow.

Overall, they shows the formation of rain-shadow deserts in mountains started with first step sea level

wind approach coast follows the winds pushed upward and when moist rises its converted to clouds form and the rain falls. When it comes to downward dry air continues in leeward side and its changes to dry winds inland area.

Mountains depth are thousands of kilometers and in the sea level the first step is a winds approach

coast following wind pushed upward. In the third phase they mentioned moist air rises and cools developed in cloud forms and converted into rain falls top of the mountains. After that when the rain falls go downward its change into dry air continues over mountain. This portion called Leeward side. In the last pahse of downfall its become a dry winds reach inland areas which is called Inland. At the bottom of the surface its significantly changes into rain shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main process and include its key stages: winds approach the coast, rise over the mountains, form clouds and rain, then continue inland as dry air. This gives the reader a relevant account of the diagram. However, the overview is not clearly separated from the stage-by-stage description, and some details are unclear or inaccurate. For example, “Mountains depth are thousands of kilometers” misrepresents the scale label, which indicates the horizontal distance, not mountain depth. The final location of the rain-shadow desert is also described vaguely as being “at the bottom of the surface.” To strengthen the response, state clearly that the desert forms inland on the leeward side, after moisture has fallen on the windward side, and describe the scale accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has a basic sequence, moving from the coast and rising air to rainfall and dry winds inland. The paragraph beginning “Overall” also attempts to summarise the process before the more detailed account. However, progression is not consistently clear: the first paragraph repeats much of the overview, and the next paragraph restarts the sequence rather than developing it smoothly. Linking phrases such as “After that” and “In the last phase” help, but some connections are awkward or unclear, particularly “when the rain falls go downward.” Organise the response into a concise overview followed by a chronological description, and use clear references such as “this air” or “the resulting dry winds” to make relationships between stages easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “clouds,” “rain falls,” “leeward side,” and “inland areas,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or combinations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the description difficult to interpret. For instance, “Mountains depth” does not express the diagram’s horizontal scale, while “its converted to clouds form” and “downfall” are not natural descriptions of the process. There are also spelling errors such as “pahse.” Aim for precise process language and accurate collocations: describe air as rising, cooling, and losing moisture, and use “precipitation” or “rainfall” where appropriate. Check spelling and word forms during revision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences that connect stages, but the longer constructions are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to affect clarity. Examples include “The diagram illustrate” and “they shows,” where subject–verb agreement is incorrect, and “when moist rises its converted to clouds form,” where the clause structure and pronoun reference are unclear. Articles and sentence boundaries also need attention, as in “a winds approach coast.” Practise building accurate sentences with one clear subject and verb for each stage, for example, “As moist air rises, it cools and forms clouds.” Then check agreement, articles, and punctuation before combining stages with linking clauses.

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