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 given diagram describes the formation of rain shadow desert through the steps observed by the after rain on mountains.

overall, rain shadow being formed near to the coastal area adjacent to mountains reign. This takes seven steps to be formed rain shadow desert.

step 1 and 2 Contains winds from the sea and pushed at upwards direction on the mountain.

step 3 and 4 At the bottom of the mountain moist air rises to produce rain accumulation clouds over the mountains with the help of winds the clouds reaches to the peaks of mountain .

step 5 and 6 The rain falls started at the peaks with the help of supporting moist winds . However,The dry winds came up at the other side of mountain in leenward direction.

At lastly The Dry wind reached to Inland as a result rain shadow desert is formed . Furthermore these steps having long journey with around thousands of kilometres winds travels to make desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as a sequence of seven stages and include its main outcome: dry winds reach inland, where a rain-shadow desert forms. You also mention the sea, mountains, rainfall and the thousands-of-kilometres scale, so the response is relevant to the diagram. However, some key details are unclear or inaccurate. The overview says the desert forms “near to the coastal area,” whereas it is inland beyond the leeward side. The account also places moist air “at the bottom” of the mountain and suggests rain begins at the peaks; the diagram instead shows moist air rising, cooling, clouds forming and rain falling on the windward side. To improve, give a precise overview of the windward-to-leeward contrast and describe each stage in the correct order.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The numbered sequence gives the reader a basic route through the process, and phrases such as “However” and “as a result” attempt to connect stages and outcomes. Nevertheless, the response is arranged as a series of compressed step groups rather than a clearly developed account. The opening and overview repeat the idea of formation, while the transitions between stages are sometimes unclear—for example, “step 3 and 4” combines rising air and cloud formation without clearly showing the cooling stage. Capitalisation and punctuation also make the progression harder to follow. Organise the response into an introduction, a concise overview, and a body that follows the diagram from coast to inland, using clear links such as “as the air rises” and “on the leeward side.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “clouds,” “dry winds,” “peaks,” and “inland,” which helps communicate the topic. There are also attempts at more specific terms, such as “coastal area” and “leeward direction.” However, several word choices or combinations are inaccurate or awkward, including “rain shadow being formed,” “rain accumulation clouds,” and “supporting moist winds.” The spelling “leenward” also makes a key geographical term less clear. Aim for precise, natural collocations and use the diagram’s terminology consistently: for example, “rain-shadow desert,” “clouds form,” and “the leeward side.” This would make the description clearer without requiring a much wider vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

The response attempts both simple statements and longer sentences, including a result clause in “At lastly The Dry wind reached to Inland as a result rain shadow desert is formed.” However, control is limited: errors in sentence construction, verb forms, agreement, articles and punctuation occur repeatedly and sometimes obscure the sequence. Examples include “This takes seven steps to be formed rain shadow desert,” “the clouds reaches,” and “The rain falls started.” Several sentences also lack clear boundaries, particularly the final sentence, where two ideas run together. Practise accurate present-simple descriptions of processes and build longer sentences around one clear relationship at a time—for example, “As moist air rises, it cools and clouds form.” Check subject–verb agreement and sentence punctuation when editing.

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