Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-08

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 illustrates the formation of rain shadow desert. It describe the process in multiple steps.

Overall, the wind pushed upward from the windward side is the cause of cloud raining and when the dry air comes down through the leeward side and reach inland area it create rain-shadow desert.

In the first step, wind approaches from sea to coast. In the second step, wind is pushed appward on the windward side because of the inclined shape of mountain. In the third step, The moist air rises and the teperature up there cools down it. In the fourth step, clouds are formed.

As a result, rain began to fall in the fifth step. In sixth step, after rain stopped dry air continues to come down on the leeward side of mountain. Finally in the seven step, dry winds reach inland area and the shadow of rain can be seen on the inland. Although the distance between coast and inland is of thousand of kilometers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages in the diagram, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland, and includes a general overview of how the rain shadow desert forms. The sequence of rising moist air, cloud formation and rainfall is also reported. However, some details are unclear or not fully accurate: the overview says dry air “comes down,” whereas the diagram indicates that it continues over the mountain, and “after rain stopped” adds a stopping point not shown. The final reference to the “shadow of rain” is imprecise; explain that the inland area receives little or no rain. To strengthen the report, describe the windward and leeward sides more precisely and make the overall cause-and-effect relationship clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview and a chronological account of the seven stages. Sequencing phrases such as “In the first step,” “In the fourth step” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. However, the repeated step-by-step framing makes the progression somewhat mechanical, and some links between ideas are unclear. For example, “As a result” does not clearly show how rainfall leads to the next stage, while “Although” introduces a final statement that is not a contrast. Paragraphing is sensible, but the overview and final sentence could connect more smoothly to the process description. Use a wider range of accurate links to express cause and consequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “clouds” and “dry winds,” so the topic is generally clear. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “inclined shape of mountain.” However, several word-choice and spelling problems reduce precision: “appward” appears to mean “upward,” “teperature” should be “temperature,” and “the shadow of rain” is not a natural way to describe the dry inland zone. Phrases such as “cloud raining” and “clouds are formed” are also less precise than standard process language. Build accuracy with collocations such as “rain falls,” “air rises and cools,” and “a rain-shadow desert forms.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response uses a mixture of simple sentences and some longer structures, including the overview’s “when” clause and the final sentence beginning “Although.” The sequence is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors affect clarity. For example, “It describe” needs subject–verb agreement, and “it create rain-shadow desert” needs “creates a rain-shadow desert.” In “the teperature up there cools down it,” the clause structure is faulty; a clearer form is “the air cools as it rises.” Articles and plurals also need attention in phrases such as “from sea to coast” and “on leeward side of mountain.” The “Although” sentence is incomplete as a contrast. Practise accurate complex clauses alongside careful agreement and article use.

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