Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-09

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 how a particullar kind of desert, known as " rain-shadow desert" forms.

Overall,this proceduer consist of seven steps, covering different climate condition such as wind, rain , etc . Forming a rain-shadow desert takes thousand of kilometers starting from the sea till inland area.

In the first step, wind coming from the sea approaches the cost of land, then wind is pushed upwards parallel to the obsatcles mainly, mountain and small cliffs at the cost in second step. Furthemore, when the moist air rises enough to windward area and cools down it's temprature, it forms cloud in fouth step.

which a significant change as in the fifth step rain falls from clouds that are formed earlierat tip of the of the mountain, after that air is formed again and starts it's way toward the land .Till here alsmost half of the distance is covered.

Afterward, in 6th step dry air continues it's journey over the mountain, passing through Leeward area and continues it's trip till it reaches Inland area which is it's 7th and final step . When the dry wind blows over Inland area "Rain-shadow desert" is formed in the area beneath Inland area.

It is the journey of rain-shadow desert formation that covers thousands of kilometers and contains 7 crucial steps.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence from winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland, and you identify the rain-shadow desert as the outcome. The overview also notes the seven stages and the broad sea-to-inland span, so the response addresses the process rather than merely listing labels. Some details, however, are unclear or not supported by the diagram: “small cliffs” are not shown, and the desert is described as beneath the inland area rather than beyond the leeward side. The account also says “air is formed again,” which does not explain that the air becomes dry after rain falls. To strengthen the summary, focus on the key contrast between rain on the windward side and dry conditions on the leeward side, and describe the final desert location precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction and overview are followed by stages in sequence, with paragraphs separating the earlier and later parts of the process. Sequencing expressions such as “In the first step,” “Afterward,” and “final step” help the reader follow the diagram. However, some links are awkward or unclear. The fragment beginning “which a significant change” interrupts the explanation, and “Till here” and “It is the journey” repeat information without adding much. References such as “it” in “which is it’s 7th and final step” are also difficult to follow. Use complete sentences, connect each stage directly to the next, and avoid repeating the overview in the conclusion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “windward,” “Leeward,” “dry air,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps convey the subject. There are also attempts at varied wording, such as “approaches,” “continues,” and “reaches.” However, spelling errors and imprecise or unnatural choices are noticeable, including “particullar,” “proceduer,” “obsatcles,” and “journey” repeated for the movement of air. Some phrases are difficult to interpret, particularly “air is formed again” and “beneath Inland area.” Aim for accurate spelling and more precise collocations: describe air as moving, cooling, or becoming dry, and use the diagram’s terms consistently. This would make the process clearer and more natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and longer sentences, including clauses with “when,” “after,” and “which,” and the overall sequence can usually be understood. However, control is uneven, especially in the longer sentences. For example, “when the moist air rises enough to windward area and cools down it's temprature, it forms cloud” has problems with article use and sentence construction, while “which a significant change” is an incomplete clause. There are also errors in agreement and possessives, such as “this proceduer consist” and “it's 7th and final step.” Punctuation and spacing around sentence boundaries are inconsistent. Build complex sentences carefully, check that each clause has a subject and verb, and proofread articles, agreement, and punctuation.

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

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