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 flow chart illustrates the one kind of desert, called the formation of rain-shadow dessert.

Overall, this diagram consists of seven steps, begining with the winds approach the coast which is nearby the mountains range,move towards the leeward side where dry air enough formed and ended up with the rain-shadow desert which formed at the inland.

Initially, the winds approach the coast and pushed upwards to the windward side. At that site, the moisture become high in the air and cloud starts to formed. When moisture exceeded form its level, the rain become starts at the windward side. After rainfalls, the mositure in the air removed and , creating drier air.

When the dry air comes over the mountain, it reaches downward to the leeward side. Afterwards, the dry wind started to reach down the inland areas. Finally, it reaches to the inland, where dry winds enough formed, rain -shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland, and you identify the windward and leeward sides as well as the rain-shadow desert. The overview also recognises that the process has seven steps. However, some stages are less accurately or clearly explained: the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling before clouds form, but this cooling stage is omitted, and “moisture exceeded form its level” does not clearly describe the trigger for rainfall. The final description repeats that the desert forms inland rather than explaining the contrast between rainfall on the windward side and dry conditions beyond the mountains. Including the cooling stage and making this cause-and-effect relationship explicit would make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall progression, with an overview followed by the windward-side stages and then the movement of dry air inland. Sequencing words such as “Initially,” “Afterwards,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. However, some links are mechanical or unclear, particularly “When moisture exceeded form its level,” and the overview’s long sentence combines several stages without clear boundaries. The final two sentences also repeat the idea of dry winds reaching inland. Use clearer links to show cause and result—for example, that air cools, clouds form, and rain removes moisture—and divide the overview into more precise statements. This would make the progression easier to follow and reduce repetition.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “dry air,” and “inland areas,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unclear, such as “dry air enough formed,” “moisture exceeded form its level,” and “the rain become starts.” These phrases make some stages difficult to interpret. There are also spelling errors, including “dessert” for “desert,” “begining,” and “mositure.” Aim for precise process language and natural combinations, such as “moist air rises and cools,” “clouds form,” and “rain falls.” This would improve clarity while retaining the relevant vocabulary you already use.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a relative clause in “where dry winds enough formed” and a time clause beginning “When the dry air comes over the mountain.” However, errors in verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction are frequent enough to make several sentences difficult to understand. Examples include “the moisture become high,” “cloud starts to formed,” and “the rain become starts.” The overview also has an incomplete construction in “seven steps, begining with the winds approach.” Practise consistent present-simple descriptions of processes, such as “moist air rises,” “clouds form,” and “rain falls,” and check that each clause has a clear subject and correctly formed verb. More accurate sentence patterns would make your sequence much clearer.

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

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