Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-12

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 below illustrates seven main stages involved in the formation of rain shadow deserts.

At a cursory glance, the process starts with winds approaching the coast. Followed by, how wind becomes moist to form rainy clouds which eventually burst, leaving dry air. These dry winds then reach the Rain-shadow deserts crossing thousands of kilometres.

To commence with, wind reaches the coast and then its pushed above the mountain. In the next step, moist air rises and cools as it moves up the mountain. Afterwards, this moist air forms cloud just above the mountain peak, from where rain falls. Due to raining, the air is now dry which continues to move over the mountain. Finally these dry winds reach the inland areas which are also referred as Rain-shadow deserts. The overall distance between the Sea-coast and Rain shadow desert through the mountains is thousands of kilometres.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as having seven stages and cover its main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland. The account of rising, cooling air, cloud formation and rainfall is relevant, and the distance of thousands of kilometres is included. However, the overview is not fully clear: “leaving dry air” is vague, and the final sentence incorrectly equates the inland areas with the rain-shadow desert rather than locating the desert beyond the leeward side. The description also omits the windward/leeward distinction, which would clarify the process. The response is 146 words, below the required 150, so it does not meet the minimum. Add a concise, accurate overview and a few words of useful detail rather than padding.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable overall order: an opening summary is followed by a step-by-step account, with markers such as “To commence with,” “In the next step,” and “Finally.” This helps the reader follow the stages. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical, and the opening sequence is awkwardly connected: “At a cursory glance, the process starts…” is followed by the fragment “Followed by, how wind becomes moist…”. The second paragraph repeats several points from the first without adding much detail, while the final sentence introduces the distance somewhat abruptly. Use complete sentences, reduce repetition, and group the stages into a clear overview and a more detailed description. More precise links between each stage would make the progression smoother.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of process vocabulary, including “formation,” “moist air,” “cools,” “precipitation” (expressed as “rain falls”), and “inland areas.” These choices make the main stages understandable, and “rain-shadow deserts” is used consistently. Some expressions are less suitable or imprecise for a formal process description: “At a cursory glance” sounds like a quick visual impression rather than an overview, “burst” is not a precise description of rainfall, and “Due to raining” is an unnatural phrase. “Rainy clouds” is also less exact than simply referring to clouds. Aim for natural collocations and precise geographical terms, such as “precipitation” and “leeward side,” while avoiding decorative wording that does not add information.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

There is some variety in sentence structure, including a relative clause in “from where rain falls” and a time clause in “as it moves up the mountain.” Most of the sequence remains understandable. However, several errors affect accuracy: “Followed by, how wind becomes moist…” is a sentence fragment, “its pushed” should be “it is pushed,” and “which are also referred as” needs the passive form “which are also referred to as.” The construction “Due to raining” is also grammatically faulty; a clause such as “As rain falls, the air becomes dry” would be clearer. Check articles and number as well, for example “forms cloud” and “rain shadow desert.” More consistently complete sentences and accurate passive forms would strengthen control.

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