Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 provided flow chart illustrates the sequential stage involved in the formation of rain shadow deserts in 7 steps.

Overall, it is clear that this is a linear comparison seven different stages initial winds approach coast and culminating in the final dry winds reach inland areas.

In the initial stage of the 1 stage winds approach towards coast and pushed in the upward direction to moist air rises and cools then clouds gathers at mountains heights following that clouds transported at the top of the mountain where they under go. Once this step is completed the clouds then become heavy by the moister and droplets then rain falls from rising height.

Subsequently, the process get more to the dry air continues over mountains phase towards leeward side of the mountain further more dry winds reaches towards inland areas travelling thousands of kilometre from the sea level. Finally, the journey that begins with cold wind approach towards coast now became dry wind moreover this process will repeat again and again.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the process as a sequence and include its main beginning and ending: winds approach the coast, and dry winds eventually reach inland areas. You also mention the key transition over the mountains, including rain on the windward side and dry air continuing towards the leeward side. However, some stages are unclear or inaccurately described: the account of clouds becoming heavy and droplets falling is difficult to follow, and “cold wind” is not stated in the diagram. The overview also calls the process a “linear comparison,” which does not accurately describe a process diagram. To strengthen the response, give a concise overview of how moist air rises, cools and rains on the windward side, leaving dry air to travel inland and create the desert.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has an identifiable overall sequence, with an opening, an overview and a description that moves from the coast towards inland areas. Connectors such as “In the initial stage,” “Subsequently” and “Finally” help signal progression. However, the long third paragraph combines several stages in a confusing sentence, and references such as “this step” and “they” do not always make clear whether you mean the clouds, air or droplets. Some linking is also mechanical, particularly “further more” and “moreover.” Organise the stages into shorter sentences or grouped phases, and use clear references—for example, “the moist air rises and cools, forming clouds above the mountains.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “leeward side,” “dry winds” and “inland areas,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “sequential stage” and “culminating.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural: “linear comparison” does not fit a process, “clouds transported” is not a clear description of cloud formation, and “journey” is informal for this report. Word forms and spelling also need attention, as in “moister” for “moisture” and “kilometre” where the plural is needed. Prefer precise process terms such as “form,” “rise,” “cool” and “precipitate,” and check collocations before using less familiar vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentence forms, including a sequence linked with “then” and a concluding sentence beginning “Finally.” However, control is uneven, and errors sometimes make the stages difficult to understand. For example, “the sequential stage” should be plural, while “winds approach towards coast and pushed” shifts tense and lacks a clear grammatical structure. In “the process get more to the dry air continues,” the subject and verb pattern are not correctly formed. Articles and agreement also need checking, as in “at mountains heights” and “the process will repeat.” Build each stage around a clear subject and verb, keep the present simple consistently, and use full stops to separate the process steps.

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

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