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 diagrams illustrates the formation of rain-shadow deserts. There are mainly seven steps through which the rain shadow deserts are form.

In first the step the wind approaches from sea to the coast.

After that in second step the wind is pushed upwards by the mountain.

In third step the moist air rose up and gets cool. In fourth step when air gets cool the clouds are form.

In fifth step the rain falls on windward side of the mountain.

Then in sixth step when the rain is falling to the windward side of the mountain the dry air countines over the mountain to the leeward side of mountain.

In seventh step the winds reaches the inland areas. When the winds reaches inland area then the rain-shadow deserts are formed.

The wind cannot reach the land because there is a thousands of kilometers difference in the mountain.

This is the whole formation process of the rain-shadow deserts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the process as having seven stages and report most of the main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. You also correctly mention rising, cooling air, cloud formation, rainfall on the windward side, and the desert inland. However, the response lacks a clear overview of the key cause-and-effect pattern: moist air loses its water on the windward side, leaving dry air to cross the mountains and create a rain-shadow desert on the leeward side. The statement that wind “cannot reach the land” is unclear and conflicts with your account of winds reaching inland areas. The reference to a “thousands of kilometers difference” also misinterprets the diagram’s scale arrow. Explain these features more accurately and distinguish the two sides of the mountain.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The stages are presented in a generally understandable order, and sequencing phrases such as “In third step,” “In fourth step,” and “Then in sixth step” help the reader follow the process. However, the response is arranged as a series of short, repetitive statements rather than a clearly shaped report with an overview and grouped details. “In first the step” and repeated use of “when” make the progression sound mechanical, while the final comments about wind reaching land and the distance are not smoothly connected to the process. Use a brief opening overview, then group the stages into a logical sequence, with linking expressions that show cause and result as well as order.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” and “rain-shadow deserts,” which makes the topic recognisable. However, the range is limited and several word forms, spellings, or collocations are inaccurate: “the deserts are form,” “the clouds are form,” and “countines” reduce precision. “The wind cannot reach the land” is also an unsuitable description of the diagram, since dry winds do reach inland areas. Repetition of “step,” “wind,” and “mountain” further limits flexibility. Aim for precise process verbs such as “rises,” “cools,” “condenses,” “crosses,” and “creates,” and use “air” or “winds” consistently where appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response uses some simple sentences and attempts longer clauses, for example, “when the rain is falling to the windward side … the dry air continues over the mountain.” However, grammatical errors occur frequently and sometimes make relationships difficult to follow. Examples include “The diagrams illustrates,” “the deserts are form,” “the moist air rose up and gets cool,” and “the winds reaches.” These show problems with subject–verb agreement, passive forms, and consistent tense. Articles and sentence construction are also unreliable in phrases such as “In first the step” and “there is a thousands of kilometers difference.” Use the present simple consistently for a process, check singular and plural subjects, and build each stage with a clear subject and verb.

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

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