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 diagram illustrates how one of the different types of desert named rain-shadow desert is created.

Overall, establishment of rain-shadow deserts consist total 7 stages. Starting from winds aproach caoch from sea to dry winds reach inland areas. The main work is held by mountains.

Begning with the wind approach coast in sea, mountain consist the main role. From sea cost the wind goes upward in the mountains where the mouist air start becoming coll, although the mounatains are spreaded over thousands of kilometers and also at a hieght the moist air forms the cloaud at mounatins, this side is known as windward side.

Rain takes place on mountains from the formation of clouds by moist air. After on leeward side the dry air continues over mountains. This air arrived from the mountains does downwards on land where the dry winds reach inland area. The upper particals of mounatin air on land make it like a shadow, although it is named rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

You cover the main sequence and provide an overview, noting that the process has seven stages and that winds eventually reach inland areas. The account correctly identifies the mountains’ role, cloud formation and rainfall on the windward side, and the continuation of dry air over the leeward side. This gives the response a sound factual foundation. However, some stages are less clearly explained: the opening sequence is difficult to follow, and the final explanation that mountain-air particles create a “shadow” does not accurately clarify how the inland desert results. To strengthen the response, describe the stages in a precise, step-by-step way and make the overview distinguish the moist, rainy windward side from the dry leeward region where the desert forms.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by two paragraphs describing the process. The sequence from coastal winds to rainfall and then dry inland winds is generally traceable, and phrases such as “After on leeward side” signal a transition. However, progression is sometimes interrupted by long, overloaded sentences. For example, the sentence beginning “From sea cost the wind goes upward” combines the ascent, cooling, mountain scale and cloud formation, making the order of events hard to follow. Some linking phrases are also awkward or unclear, including “although” where a cause or sequence is intended. Use shorter sentences and straightforward connectors such as “as a result,” “then” and “finally” to make each stage distinct.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “clouds” and “dry winds,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There is also an attempt to vary wording with terms such as “establishment” and “formation.” However, inaccurate word choice and collocation sometimes make the meaning unclear: “the main work is held by mountains” and “the upper particals of mounatin air” do not express the intended process naturally. Spelling errors such as “aproach,” “mouist” and “cloaud” are noticeable and reduce precision. Aim for accurate, conventional process language rather than unusual phrasing; for example, say that mountains force moist air upwards and that the air descends on the leeward side.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and complex sentence forms, including a subordinate clause beginning “where” and a contrast clause with “although.” However, complex sentences are often faulty or difficult to interpret, and errors occur in basic sentence construction as well. For instance, “establishment of rain-shadow deserts consist total 7 stages” has problems with the subject, verb agreement and article use, while “the wind approach coast” lacks appropriate verb form and sentence structure. The sentence beginning “From sea cost” also runs several ideas together without clear grammatical boundaries. Practise building accurate simple sentences first, then combine them with controlled clauses. Check subject–verb agreement, articles, verb forms and punctuation when describing each stage.

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