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 below illustrate how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, which is formed.

Overview, the diagram demonstrats the mountains, the moist air rises and cools which form clouds and start rain falls, similarly it goes to leeward side and dry winds reach inland areas.

Initially, from left side of sea the winds approach coast and then winds pushes in upward direction. On third stage it form moist air rises and cools down, after that the formation of clouds begin, precipitation takes place. The rain falls started to fell down.

On the other hand, 6th stage contain dry air which countinues over mountain on leeward side falling down in 7th stage dry wind reaches to finallinland area and formed the rain-shadow desert. In this diagram it shows how one single mountain can formed the all process and one type of desert formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a process and report several central stages: winds approach the coast, rise over the mountains, form clouds and produce rain, before dry air reaches inland areas. However, the overview is unclear and does not summarise the full contrast between the wet windward side and the dry leeward side. Some details are repeated, such as the formation of rain, while the final outcome is only briefly described. The claim that “one single mountain” forms the process is not clearly supported by the diagram, which shows mountains. The response also falls 15 words short of the 150-word minimum; the 11 words copied from the task prompt were excluded from the count. Develop the overview and explain the stages more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an attempted overview to the earlier and later stages of the process. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “On third stage,” and “after that” help the reader follow the order. However, progression is not consistently clear: the overview combines several stages in one confusing sentence, and the final paragraph begins “On the other hand,” although it introduces the next stage rather than a contrast. Some links are repetitive or awkward, and the relationship between the rain and the air becoming dry could be made clearer. Use a concise overview, then organise the process into a clear sequence, with linking phrases that accurately show order and cause.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “clouds,” “precipitation,” “leeward side,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which shows an adequate range for describing the diagram. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or repetitive, such as “winds pushes in upward direction,” “rain falls started to fell down,” and “formed the rain-shadow desert.” There are also spelling errors, including “demonstrats,” “countinues,” and “finallinland,” which make parts of the description harder to read. Aim for precise process language and check spelling. For example, describe air as being “forced upwards,” say that “rainfall occurs,” and explain that dry winds “reach inland areas,” rather than repeating “fall” or using unclear phrases.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, but control is uneven, and errors sometimes make the process difficult to follow. For example, “The diagram below illustrate” has subject–verb disagreement, while “the winds pushes” and “it form” also use incorrect verb forms. The sentence beginning “Overview, the diagram demonstrats…” lacks a clear grammatical structure, and “which form clouds and start rain falls” does not connect its clauses correctly. Articles and sentence boundaries also need attention. Practise building accurate passive forms for processes, such as “the winds are pushed upwards” and “clouds are formed,” alongside clear simple sentences. Check agreement and verb forms before adding extra clauses.

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

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