Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-30

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 stages in formation of Rain-shadow deserts over the inland.

Overall, it consists of 7 stage. Formation proces starts from the sea on to the left of mountain which is windward side and ends at the inland right of the mountain known as leeward side leading formation of Rain-shasow desert.

Primarly, the wind approches over the sea flowing through the cost. Next in step 2, the wind gets pushed upward from the left side of the mounatin. Thereafter, proportion of moist air increases as alititude is increasing which leds to cool down the wind in step 3.

Furthermore, in step 4 increase in altitude along the windward side, tends to formation of clouds. As the clouds further increases, reaches neraly peak of the mountain the rainfall starts which is step 5. Later in step 6 the dry air continues over the mountain leeward side. Finally the dry wind reaches inland areas in step 7 where Rain-shadow desert is formed.

In summary, there are total 7 stages starting from the sea to inland for the formation of Rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all stages of the process, from the sea to the formation of the rain-shadow desert. The overview is clear, identifying the seven stages and the contrast between the windward and leeward sides. However, the description of the process is somewhat mechanical, as it relies heavily on listing the steps (e.g., 'in step 2', 'in step 3'). While the main features are reported, the analysis could be improved by integrating the steps more fluidly rather than simply numbering them. The information is accurate based on the diagram, and the key comparison between the two sides of the mountain is effectively highlighted.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is logically organized, moving from an introduction to a step-by-step description and a brief summary. Paragraphing is used, though the body paragraph is quite dense. Cohesive devices are present, such as 'Primarly', 'Next', 'Furthermore', and 'Finally', but some of these are used in a slightly mechanical or repetitive way. The referencing is generally clear, although the flow between sentences could be improved by using more varied linking phrases to connect the stages of the process rather than relying on the explicit mention of 'step' numbers.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with terms like 'windward', 'leeward', 'moist air', and 'altitude' used correctly. However, there are several spelling errors, such as 'proces', 'approches', 'cost', 'mounatin', 'alititude', 'leds', and 'neraly'. These errors are frequent enough to be noticeable. The range of vocabulary is sufficient to describe the process, but the lack of precision in spelling and some minor word-choice issues (e.g., 'over the inland') prevent a higher score. More sophisticated collocations would enhance the quality of the description.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, including missing articles ('in formation of', 'over the sea'), incorrect verb forms ('tends to formation of clouds'), and punctuation issues. Some sentences are slightly awkward, such as 'Formation proces starts from the sea on to the left of mountain'. While the meaning is generally clear and communication is not impeded, the frequency of errors in basic grammar and sentence construction limits the score. A greater focus on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and article usage is recommended.

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