Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-11

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 illustration gives the information on on type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert formation.

Overall, the process starts with winds approaching coast from the sea toward the mountain then winds are pushed upwards toward the peak and at the peak the cloud becomes heavier with water droplets and finally falls as rain. The dry air from peak flows downward on the other side of the mountain and finally reaches the inland.

To begin with, to form a rain-shadow desert, a thousands of kilometer wide mountain should be located at the coast of the sea where winds from sea approaches the cost. Following this, the winds are pushed upward toward the peak on windward side where air gets cooled and becomes moist. As they reach near the peak the moist and cool air starts to form clouds. Furthermore, the cloud gets heavier as they reach peak and at the peak rain falls occurs.

In addition, the dry air flowing over the mountain continues on the other side known as leeward side. Then the Dry winds reach the inland areas where the rain-shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence from sea winds approaching the coast to rain falling on the windward side, followed by dry air moving inland, and your overview identifies the process’s beginning and outcome. These are relevant features and the explanation is generally understandable. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram does not say that a mountain must be “a thousands of kilometer wide” or located at the coast, and it shows winds being forced upwards by the mountain rather than describing a required mountain size. The account also says the air “becomes moist” after cooling, whereas the diagram identifies it as moist air that rises and cools. Develop the overview and stages more precisely, including the desert’s position beyond the leeward side.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an opening overview is followed by a description of the windward stages and then the leeward side. Sequencing expressions such as “To begin with,” “Following this,” and “Then” help the reader follow the process. However, some links feel mechanical or repetitive, particularly the repeated use of “Finally” in the overview and the repeated “peak” references. The paragraph beginning “In addition” is very short and could connect more smoothly to the preceding account. Improve progression by grouping related stages into fuller paragraphs and using references such as “this rising air” or “the resulting clouds” to make connections clearer without relying on repeated transition words.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist,” “dry air,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which allows the reader to understand the main stages. There is also some attempt to vary wording with phrases such as “flowing over the mountain” and “reach the inland areas.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “the cloud becomes heavier with water droplets,” “rain falls occurs,” and “a thousands of kilometer wide mountain.” “Cost” is also a spelling error for “coast,” and “Dry” is unnecessarily capitalised mid-sentence. Choose precise process language and check spelling and word forms; for example, describe clouds forming and precipitation falling rather than saying the cloud becomes heavier.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mix of simple and complex sentences, including clauses beginning “where” and “as,” and the sequence is usually understandable. Some sentence structures are controlled, such as “The dry air flowing over the mountain continues on the other side known as leeward side.” However, there are some errors in articles, agreement, and sentence construction. Examples include “on type of desert” instead of “one type,” “winds from sea approaches” where the subject and verb do not agree, and “rain falls occurs,” which combines incompatible verb forms. The phrase “a thousands of kilometer wide mountain” also has problems with number and article use. Review agreement and article patterns, and simplify sentences when needed so that each clause has a clear subject and verb.

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

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