Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-13

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 given process illustrate the formation of a desert known as a rain-shadow desert.

Overall,the process includes total of seven steps,formation of rain-shadow desert includes mountains that are of thousand kilometers.The process starts from the coast of the mountains where the wind moves the cost upwards to form clouds which later on dries towards the inland area of the mountains where the rain-shadow desert is formed.

The process starts to take place from the coast side of the mountains where it connects with the sea.Wind approaches the coast and it pushes the coast towards the windward side of the mountains where the moist area gets cooled and starts forming the clouds.After the formation of clouds,rain falls start to begin from the top of the mountain towards the leeward side of the mountains.

During rain fall dry air continues to move downwards side of the mountains until it reaches to the inland areas of the mountain where the formation of rain-shadow desert takes place.The whole process is being processed around the thousands of kilometers of the mountains.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as having seven steps and describe its broad movement from the coast, over the mountains, and into inland areas. You also mention cloud formation, rainfall, and the eventual desert, so the response is relevant to the diagram. However, some key stages are unclear or inaccurately described: the wind does not “push[] the coast” upwards; it is forced upwards by the mountains, and the moist air rises and cools before clouds form. The overview also says the mountains are “of thousand kilometers,” confusing the diagram’s horizontal scale with mountain size. To make the account more complete, explain the windward-to-leeward sequence accurately and state clearly that dry air descends beyond the mountains, creating the rain-shadow desert inland.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the process. Sequencing phrases such as “The process starts,” “After the formation of clouds,” and “During rain fall” help the reader follow the stages. However, progression is weakened by repeated openings and repeated references to the coast, mountains, and desert. Some links are also unclear: the overview’s description of wind moving the “cost upwards” makes the relationship between wind and mountains difficult to follow, while the final sentence repeats the scale point without adding useful information. Organise the stages in a more direct sequence, using clear references such as “this air” and “on the leeward side,” and avoid restating the same information.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist,” “clouds,” and “inland,” which helps identify the diagram’s features. However, several word choices or collocations are inaccurate or awkward and sometimes obscure the process. For example, “the wind moves the cost upwards” and “pushes the coast” confuse the coast with the air being lifted; “moist area” is less precise than “moist air”; and “the process is being processed” is repetitive and unnatural. There are also inconsistent forms such as “rain fall” and “rain falls start to begin.” Aim for precise process verbs and standard collocations, such as “is forced upwards,” “cools and condenses,” and “rain falls on the windward side.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including clauses beginning with “where” and “until,” and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, errors are frequent, and complex sentences are often not controlled accurately. The opening “The given process illustrate” has subject–verb disagreement, while “Overall,the process includes total of seven steps,formation…” lacks necessary articles and punctuation. In “where the moist area gets cooled and starts forming the clouds,” the clause structure and reference are unclear. There are also awkward tense and passive constructions, such as “is being processed.” Use shorter, accurately punctuated sentences to describe each stage, check agreement and articles, and practise joining stages with correctly formed clauses.

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

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