Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-09

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 diagram shows how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed. The formation of a rain-shadow desert involves nine stages.

Overall, the process begins when winds approach from the coast and ends when dry winds reach the inland areas. While the windward side receives rainfall, the leeward side remains dry.

Initially, winds approach the coast from the sea and are pushed upwards by the mountains. As the moist air rises, it cools and forms clouds, which lead to rainfall on the windward side. After that, the dry air continues over the mountain towards the leeward side. Finally, the dry winds reach the inland areas, resulting in the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

In conclusion, this process consists nine several stages. A rain shadow desert is formed when moist air rises over mountains, causes rainfall on one side, and leaves dry air on the other side.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence accurately: winds arrive from the sea, rise over the mountains, cool and produce clouds and rain on the windward side, then continue as dry air towards the inland desert. The overview also captures the contrast between the wet windward side and dry leeward side. However, the response contains 137 words, below the required 150, and this limits the development of the description. The statement that the process has “nine stages” is inaccurate; the diagram shows seven numbered stages. The final sentence repeats the process rather than adding a distinct feature. To strengthen the response, correct the stage count and use the available space to describe the mountain’s role and the desert’s inland location more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to a chronological account, with “Initially,” “After that,” and “Finally” helping the reader follow the process. The sequence is generally logical, and the contrast between the windward and leeward sides is placed clearly in the overview. However, the final paragraph begins “In conclusion” and largely repeats information already given, so it does not advance the description. The progression is also somewhat mechanical because the stages are linked mainly through basic sequencing expressions. A more effective response would use a concise overview followed by a single, well-developed process paragraph, with references such as “this moisture” or “the resulting dry air” to connect stages smoothly.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “rainfall,” and “inland areas.” These terms make the main mechanism understandable, and “resulting in the formation” is an appropriate way to express the outcome. Some wording is repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “formed” and “formation,” and “the formation of a rain-shadow desert involves nine stages” includes an inaccurate stage count. The phrase “dry air continues over the mountain towards the leeward side” is clear but could be more precise about the air descending beyond the mountain. Broader use of accurate process verbs and less repetition would make the description more precise and flexible.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

The response includes a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, and several sentences are controlled, such as “As the moist air rises, it cools and forms clouds, which lead to rainfall on the windward side.” The use of subordinate clauses and the relative clause “which lead to rainfall” helps explain cause and sequence. Some errors remain: “this process consists nine several stages” has an incorrect verb pattern and an unnecessary word, while “A rain shadow desert is formed when moist air rises over mountains, causes rainfall…” has faulty coordination between “rises” and “causes.” The extra space in “ends when” is also a punctuation/typing slip. Review verb patterns after “consists” and keep parallel structures consistent; these corrections would improve accuracy while preserving your sentence variety.

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

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