Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 process diagram illustrates kind of desert, called rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall, it has 7 stages, starts from winds approaching the coast, and ends when inland areas is reached by dry winds.

Turning to the details, firstly, winds approach coast at sea, and then the winds pushed upwards to the mountain, after reaching that point moist air rises and converted into cool air. Then the clouds form from those air particles, after that rain falls from the clouds on the left side of mountains.

On the other hand, dry air continues flowing over the mountain, and reach Leeward side, which is at on the opposite side of sea and Windward side. Finally, the Dry winds reach inland areas and absorbed in the rain shadow desert. Consequently, that's why it called Rain shadow desert due to it's wierd nature.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as a rain-shadow desert’s formation and give a broad overview of its seven stages, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland. Most key stages are included, including uplift, cooling, cloud formation, rainfall, and the movement of dry air over the mountain. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the air does not become “cool air” but cools as it rises, and the desert is not where the winds are “absorbed.” The explanation of the windward and leeward sides is also imprecise. The response is 11 words below the required minimum, and the final comment about the desert’s “weird nature” does not explain the process. Develop the overview and describe the stages more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction and overview are followed by a description of the stages, with sequencing words such as “firstly,” “then,” “after that,” and “finally.” This makes the general order of events understandable. However, the progression is not always smooth: “On the other hand” suggests a contrast, although the dry-air movement is the next stage in the same process. Some references, such as “those air particles” and “that point,” are not fully clear, and the final sentence shifts from describing the diagram to an informal comment. Use paragraphing to separate the overview from the detailed sequence, and choose linking expressions that show sequence rather than contrast.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “clouds,” “rain falls,” “windward side,” and “leeward side,” which helps communicate the main stages. There is some variety in how you describe movement, such as “approach,” “pushed upwards,” and “continues flowing.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or informal: “converted into cool air,” “absorbed in the rain shadow desert,” and “weird nature” do not describe the diagram appropriately. “At sea” is also less precise than describing winds moving from the sea towards the coast. Aim for accurate process language, such as “cools,” “passes over,” and “reaches,” and check spelling and capitalization, including “weird” and consistent use of “dry winds.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, using sequencing clauses to connect stages. However, errors in sentence structure and verb forms are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward or unclear. For example, “The process diagram illustrates kind of desert … is formed” is missing articles and a clear grammatical connection; “the winds pushed upwards” needs an auxiliary or passive form; and “inland areas is reached” has subject–verb disagreement. In “dry air continues flowing … and reach,” the verbs do not agree, while “which is at on the opposite side” contains an incorrect preposition pattern. Practise forming accurate passive descriptions of processes and check articles, agreement, and verb forms in each sentence.

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