Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-06

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 given image is a process diagram that illustrates how one type of dessert, known as a rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall, the process consists of seven stages, beginning with the winds approach sea level and ending with the dry winds reach inland areas.

Initially, winds approach the coast and moved upwards towards windward side of the mountain. Furthermore, winds move rises and starts the process of cooling. After cooling process, this moist air convert into clouds form with water. In addition, the most important steps is that rain falls, after formation of the clouds.

Secondly, after the rain falls on top of the mountain, the dry air slowly continues over down mountain towards leeward side. The most essential thing in which is mountain, which is too long and big such as thousands of kilometres. The mountain has two side one is windward side and other is leeward side. This process ends with seven stages is that dry reach towards land. As a result, the land consume dry winds and formed rain-shadow desert.

In conclusion, this formation starting with common step is winds approach coast, main step of this process is rain falls on the top of mountain. The process ending with inland areas and formed rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the diagram as a process and give a broad overview of its seven stages, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. The main sequence is mostly represented, including air rising and cooling, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry air crossing the mountain. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: “winds approach sea level” is not the stated starting point, and the description that the land “consume[s] dry winds” does not clearly explain that the rain-shadow desert forms inland. The mountain’s scale is also misinterpreted as its length (“too long and big”), whereas the diagram’s thousands-of-kilometres label indicates horizontal distance. Develop the causal links more precisely, especially how rainfall on the windward side leaves dry air on the leeward side.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an overall sequence and is divided into paragraphs, so the reader can follow the broad movement from the coast across the mountains to inland areas. However, progression is weakened by mechanical or confusing transitions such as “Furthermore,” “Secondly,” and “In conclusion,” particularly because the final paragraph repeats the process rather than adding a clear summary. Some references are also difficult to follow: “the most essential thing in which is mountain” interrupts the sequence, and “This process ends with seven stages is that…” is unclear. Organise the body in chronological stages and use transitions only where they clarify relationships. A concise overview followed by a step-by-step account would make the progression more consistent and reduce repetition.

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. There are also attempts at more descriptive wording, but several choices are inaccurate or unnatural: “dessert” is confused with “desert,” “winds move rises” does not express the intended action, and “the land consume dry winds” is not an appropriate collocation. “The most essential thing” and “too long and big” are vague and do not describe the diagram precisely. Aim for accurate process verbs and collocations, such as air “rises,” “cools,” and “continues across” the mountain, and a desert “forms” inland. This would make the description clearer and more precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the overall sequence can usually be understood. However, errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction recur. For example, “winds approach the coast and moved upwards” shifts tense, while “this moist air convert into clouds form” has problems with agreement and clause structure. “The most important steps is” also has a subject–verb agreement error, and “The mountain has two side” needs a plural noun form. Some sentences become difficult to interpret because several grammatical ideas are joined without a clear structure, as in “This process ends with seven stages is that dry reach towards land.” Use consistent present simple for process descriptions and build each stage as a complete clause; check agreement and singular/plural forms when editing.

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

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