Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-07

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 depicts the naural formation of rain shadow desert by passes throught different stages. This process involved several steps, suh as winds approach coast, cloud formation, rain fall and till dry winds reach the inland areas.

Firstly, winds arising from the sea around the coast goes upward towards the mountains. Moist air rises and cool at windward side in the mountain from where the clouds forms. Later clouds start raining and the dry air which by rain falls will continues to comes down the mountain.

Subsequently, the dry air which comes down by leeward side will reach the inland area which actually forms one type of desert which is called rain-shadow desert.

Overall, this natural process passes by different phases by starting from winds formation near sea to the cluds formation and rain fall till the dry air formed by rain come down to form desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as a sequence and include several central stages: winds approach from the sea, moist air rises, clouds form, rain falls, and dry air reaches inland to create a rain-shadow desert. However, the account is incomplete and sometimes unclear about the causal sequence. In particular, it does not clearly explain that the mountain forces the incoming winds upwards, that rising air cools, or that the air continues over the mountain before reaching the leeward side. The overview repeats the sequence rather than summarising the key contrast between the wet windward side and dry inland leeward side. The response is also three words below the required minimum. Add the missing stages and clarify the overall pattern to cover the diagram more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a description beginning with “Firstly,” a later stage introduced by “Subsequently,” and a concluding overview. This gives the reader a basic sense of progression through the process. However, the links between stages are sometimes mechanical, and the final paragraph largely repeats information already given rather than providing a distinct overview. Some references are also unclear, such as “from where the clouds forms” and “the dry air which by rain falls,” making it harder to follow exactly what happens next. Organise the stages in a more direct sequence and use clear references to the air, clouds, and mountain sides; this would make the progression smoother and less repetitive.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “cloud formation,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps identify the main features. The range is nevertheless limited, and several word choices or forms are inaccurate or repetitive. For example, “winds formation” does not describe the diagram, while “dry air formed by rain” gives an imprecise account of the process. Spelling errors such as “naural,” “suh,” and “cluds” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process verbs and collocations, such as “is forced upwards,” “cools,” “precipitation falls,” and “continues inland.” This would make the description clearer and more appropriate to an academic process report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses beginning with “which” and “from where,” and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, errors are frequent, particularly in verb forms and subject–verb agreement. Examples include “winds … goes,” “air rises and cool,” “clouds forms,” and “will continues to comes down.” The sentence “the dry air which by rain falls” is also structurally incomplete, so the relationship between rainfall and the air is difficult to understand. Use consistent present simple for a process diagram and check agreement and verb patterns: for example, “winds rise,” “air cools,” and “clouds form.” More accurate control of these basic patterns would improve clarity.

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

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