Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-12

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 one type of desert,such as a rain shadow desert is formed.

Overall,the diagram demonstrates the different stages formation of rain deserts.It commence with the step of winds approach coast and end with the step of dry winds reach inlands areas.Sea is the left side of the mountain and inland is also the right side of the mountain.Subsequently,in the middle of mountain in the inner side display the thousands of kilometers process from the coast to inland.

Initially,winds approach coast passes through on the sea then it pushed upwards along the montains.Secondly,moist air and rises cool convert into the shape of clouds.Afterwards,when its make a clouds form so its falling a rain on the mountains.At the sixth step,start the dry air on the mountains leeward side layer.

Eventually,the dry winds reach upto the inland areas.

In conclusion,the diagram reveals the journey of thousands of kilometers from coast to rain shadow desert in the inner side of the mountains.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a process and give its broad direction, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland. You also mention the key sequence of rising air, cloud formation, rainfall and dry air crossing the mountains. However, the account is only partly complete: the overview does not clearly explain the central cause-and-effect pattern—that moist air loses its moisture on the windward side, leaving dry air to descend or continue over the leeward side and create a rain-shadow desert inland. Some details are unclear or inaccurate, such as saying the sea is on the left side of the mountain and describing the distance as a journey. To strengthen the response, explain the windward/leeward contrast and connect the final dry conditions explicitly to desert formation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable beginning, overview and sequence of stages, and signposts such as “Initially,” “Secondly,” “Afterwards” and “Eventually” help the reader follow the process. The order broadly matches the diagram. However, progression is sometimes mechanical, and several links between ideas are unclear. For example, “Afterwards, when its make a clouds form so its falling a rain” makes the relationship between cloud formation and rainfall difficult to follow. The overview and conclusion also repeat the idea of a coast-to-inland journey rather than adding a clear summary of the process. Use fewer, more precise transitions and group the stages into a clear overview followed by the windward and leeward stages.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “clouds,” “rain,” “dry winds,” “coast” and “inland,” so the topic is generally identifiable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or combinations are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the description difficult to understand. For instance, “the different stages formation of rain deserts” and “in the inner side” do not express the intended ideas naturally; “montains” is also misspelled. Use precise terms from the diagram, especially “windward side,” “leeward side,” “precipitation” and “rain-shadow desert,” and choose natural process verbs such as “rise,” “cool,” “condense” and “continue.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple sentences and longer sequences, and the reader can usually recognise the intended stages. However, control is inconsistent: many sentences contain errors in verb forms, agreement, articles or sentence construction, and these sometimes obscure meaning. Examples include “winds approach coast passes,” “it pushed upwards,” and “moist air and rises cool convert.” The sentence beginning “when its make a clouds form” also combines clauses inaccurately. Punctuation and spacing after commas are inconsistent. Practise building accurate process sentences with a clear subject and verb—for example, “Moist air rises, cools and forms clouds”—then add a second clause only when its grammatical link is clear.

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