Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-10

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 desert known to be a rain shadow desert, is developed.

Overall, there is the formation of rain shadow desert after undergone through various steps like firstly, air get in touch with coast along that wind turn to be wet cools down to formulate clouds. After that, rain starts raining over the mountains deepdown to the inland in form of arid air.

The very first step of that whole process starts from wind get connected to the ocean the 2 step is that air move forwards then this cool down through windward side also formulate the clouds. After that, this take form of water droplets definatley starts raining. The 6 step is that dry air continues over mountain.

Second last step of the whole procedure of rain shadow desert formulation is that arid wind reaches to inland areas to the leepward side of moutanious areas. This whole process passes through thousands of kilometer. Finally, a rain shadow desert was constructed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the process as the formation of a rain-shadow desert and include its main stages: winds approach the coast, rise and cool, clouds form, rain falls, and dry air continues inland. The overview also recognises that the process ends with a desert, and the reference to thousands of kilometres reflects the diagram. However, some stages are unclear or inaccurately described: “air move forwards” does not explain that moist air is forced upwards over the mountains, and “wind turn to be wet” reverses or obscures the moisture sequence. The windward and leeward sides are mentioned, but their roles are not clearly contrasted. To make the account more complete, explain the movement from the sea-facing slope to the dry inland side precisely and consistently.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing stages of the process. Sequencing expressions such as “Overall,” “The very first step,” “After that,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the general order. However, progression is sometimes mechanical and repetitive: “After that” is used for several stages, while “Second last step” is an awkward transition. Some references are difficult to follow, particularly “this” in “After that, this take form of water droplets,” and the overview compresses several stages into a confusing sentence. Grouping the stages more clearly—air rising and rain on the windward side, followed by dry air moving inland—would improve cohesion and make the sequence easier to understand.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “dry air,” “inland areas,” and “thousands of kilometre,” showing an attempt to describe the diagram rather than relying only on general terms. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the process difficult to interpret. For example, “air get in touch with coast” and “wind get connected to the ocean” are not natural ways to describe winds approaching from the sea. “Rain starts raining” is repetitive, while “deepdown” and “leepward” are incorrect forms or spellings. Use precise verbs such as “approach,” “rise,” “cool,” “precipitate,” and “continue” to describe each stage clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, including a sequence of stages and an overview beginning with “Overall.” However, control of sentence structure and verb forms is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make relationships between stages unclear. Examples include “after undergone through various steps,” “air get in touch,” and “this take form,” where the verb forms and sentence construction are faulty. The sentence beginning “Overall” also joins several ideas without clear grammatical links. There are some problems with articles, agreement, and punctuation, including unnecessary commas after “illustrates” and “desert.” Practise writing shorter, complete sentences first, then combine related stages using accurate forms such as “As the moist air rises, it cools and clouds form.”

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