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 the formation of rain-shadow desert. Overall, this process starts from winds approach coast to upward direction and it ends up on reach of dry winds into rain-shadow desert.

Initially winds move from sea coast towards the upward direction. When it goes upward it started moist and cool then convert into clouds form those be the cause of rain.

On the other hand, dry air continues over mountains toward leeward side and continue moving toward the land. At the end air reach on land areas and take the shape of rain-desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the process and give a basic overall account, including winds moving inland and the formation of rain. However, the description is only partial and some key stages are missing or unclear: the air is forced up by the mountains, cools as it rises, and rain falls on the windward side before dry air crosses to the leeward side. The final phrase “take the shape of rain-desert” also misrepresents the diagram: dry winds reach an inland area where the rain-shadow desert is located; the air does not become a desert. The response is 93 words, below the required 150, which contributes to the limited development. Include the full sequence and explain the contrast between the wet windward and dry leeward sides.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable sequence, moving from the coast to the mountains and then inland, and “Initially” and “At the end” help signal stages. This gives the account an overall arrangement that readers can follow. However, the progression is not consistently clear: “On the other hand” suggests a contrast, but the next sentence is actually the next stage in the same process. Some references are also vague, such as “it” and “those,” making it harder to identify whether you mean the wind, air, or clouds. Use clear stage-by-stage links such as “As the moist air rises,” “Consequently,” and “After crossing the mountain,” and keep each sentence focused on one or two connected stages.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use several relevant terms from the diagram, including “moist,” “dry air,” “leeward side,” and “rain-shadow desert,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and some word combinations are inaccurate or unclear. For example, “winds approach coast to upward direction” does not express the movement naturally, while “take the shape of rain-desert” is not an appropriate way to describe the desert’s formation. “Rain-shadow desert” should also be used consistently rather than shortened to “rain-desert.” Build a more precise process vocabulary, including “are forced upwards,” “cool and condense,” “precipitation,” and “inland region.” This will make the stages easier to understand.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to connect stages in longer sentences, for example with “When it goes upward” and “On the other hand,” but the structures are often faulty, and the range remains limited. In “When it goes upward it started moist and cool,” the pronoun reference is unclear and the verb forms do not fit together; “winds move” also shifts to singular “it” in the next sentence. Articles and sentence boundaries need attention, as in “towards the upward direction” and “then convert into clouds form.” Aim for clear, controlled sentences with accurate subjects and verbs, such as “As the moist air rises over the mountain, it cools and forms clouds.” Check tense consistency and use commas after introductory clauses.

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

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