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 given process diagram illustrates the procedure of the formation of a special type of desert known as a rain-shadow desert.

Overall,it can be clearly seen that the process begins with winds approach coast that form clouds and at the end of this procedure the rain-desert is formed.

All the process started from the seaside when the waves of wind approaches the coast and the pressure pushes the waves upward to the hill of the mountains. As, It moves upward due to the low temperature upside the water molecules form and that moisture creates the clouds at the altitude of windward side of the mountains.

With the passage of time the clouds start raining.As all the moisture has been drawn out from the wind, the waves of wind become dry and that dry air continues to flow down along the leeward side of the hills and this moisture free air reaches the land and flow toward the island .That give rise to the formation of a specific kind of desert known as rain-shadow desert.

This whole procedure took place over thousands of kilometers from the seaside to the desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence from coastal winds rising over the mountains to rain on the windward side and dry air reaching the inland desert. The final reference to the process extending “over thousands of kilometers” also reflects the diagram. However, the overview is not fully accurate: it says the process begins with winds “that form clouds,” skipping the intervening stages of uplift and cooling. Some explanations are also unclear or unsupported, such as “pressure pushes the waves upward” and “water molecules” forming. Describe the stages more precisely and distinguish the windward rainfall from the dry conditions on the leeward side to make the key features clearer and more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the process. The sequence is generally easy to follow, with time and cause links such as “With the passage of time” and “As all the moisture has been drawn out.” However, some connections are mechanical or unclear, particularly the repeated use of “and” in the final paragraph, which joins several stages into one long sentence. The overview also compresses the sequence in a way that weakens progression. Use clearer stage-by-stage sequencing and divide the explanation into shorter sentences; ensure references such as “that” have an unmistakable antecedent.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moisture,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There is also some attempt at varied wording, such as “formation” and “procedure.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for this process: “waves of wind” is repeated, “island” appears where the diagram shows inland areas, and “rain-desert” is not the stated term. Phrases such as “the pressure pushes” and “water molecules form” also do not express the stages precisely. Prefer standard terms such as “air currents,” “inland,” “rises,” and “condenses,” and avoid repeating the same noun when a precise alternative is available.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a mixture of simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning “when,” “as,” and “that,” and the overall meaning can usually be followed. However, some grammatical errors recur and occasionally make relationships between stages difficult to interpret. For example, “winds approach coast” needs an article, while “the waves of wind approaches” has a subject–verb agreement error. In “the dry air continues to flow … and this moisture free air reaches the land and flow,” the verb form should agree with its subject. Sentence boundaries and punctuation also need attention: “raining.As” runs two sentences together, and the final process description is overloaded. Check articles, agreement, verb forms, and punctuation when editing.

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