Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-16

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 picture describes the formation of a rain-shadow desert through a number of processes.

Firstly the wind blows from the sea and approaches the coastal area near it. Further the air goes upward, from coast towards the top of the mountain. When the wind reaches at the centre of hills the moist air become cool and travel upside to form clouds. After the formation of the clouds the rainfall starts at the peak of mountains and dry air moves from top of hills towards the leeward side of hills.

The inland area lies at the bottom of mountains. Dry air travels from leeward side and reaches at the inland. Due to the movement of dry wind rain-shadow desert formed in the inland.

Overall, multiple steps are involved in the formation of rain-shadow desert. These types of deserts are formed due to the movement of wind from sea towards coastal areas and then this air travel towards the top of mountains. After covering the distance of thousand kilometres the wind reaches at the inland and form rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully covers all the key stages of the rain-shadow desert formation shown in the diagram, beginning with the winds approaching the coast, moving up the windward side, cooling to form clouds and rain, and finally crossing the mountains to the leeward side to create an inland desert. An overview is provided in the final paragraph, summarising the main mechanism. While the response accurately reports the sequential steps and spatial relationships such as the windward and leeward sides, some descriptions are slightly simplified compared to the visual data. Overall, the task is well-addressed and all main features are reported.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The text is logically organised into four paragraphs: an introduction, two body paragraphs detailing the sequential steps, and an overview. Cohesive devices are used to signal progression through the stages, such as 'Firstly', 'Further', 'After the formation', and 'Overall'. However, some transitions feel somewhat mechanical or repetitive, and referencing is occasionally clunky, for instance, 'reaches at the inland' and 'rain-shadow desert formed in the inland' lacking an article. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, body steps, and conclusion, providing a clear overall arrangement.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a geographical process, including terms like 'coastal area', 'moist air', 'rainfall', 'leeward side', and 'inland area'. However, there are noticeable limitations in lexical precision and word choice, such as 'picture' instead of 'diagram', and awkward phrasing like 'reaches at the centre' and 'travel upside'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with some inaccuracy, and missing prepositions or articles slightly reduce lexical fluency. Nonetheless, the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main ideas clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writing demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'When the wind reaches at the centre of hills the moist air become cool and travel upside to form clouds.' However, there are frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding verb forms ('become cool and travel' instead of 'becomes cool and travels'), missing articles ('rain-shadow desert formed' instead of 'a rain-shadow desert is formed'), and prepositional errors ('reaches at' instead of 'reaches'). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but minor errors persist and can occasionally distract the reader.

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