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 illustrates the formation of rain shadow desert after the rain.

Overall, the linear process consist of seven main stages starting with winds approach coast from sea and ending with dry wind reaches inland areas. The main feature is that rain falls on windswards and winds moved to leeward side.

Initially, winds approach cost from the sea and it pushed upward beside the mountain, then the mositure rise at air and cools at natural temperatur and formed into clouds. Subsquently rain falls at the peak of the mountian on windsward side.

Following this, the remaining air continue to move over the mountain, since there is no moisture in the winds it become dry and dry winds moving downward beside the leeward side of the mountain. At the fiinal stage, dry winds reaches inland area and small particles of the rain shadow desert are visible on the land.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a process and give a useful overview of its seven stages, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. You also report the key contrast between rainfall on the windward side and dry conditions beyond the mountains. However, some stages are unclear or inaccurately described: for example, “after the rain” does not explain that moist air rises and cools before clouds form, and “small particles” are not shown in the diagram. The response is also two words below the required minimum. To make the account more complete, describe the sequence precisely and avoid adding unsupported details, especially when explaining how the rain-shadow desert forms.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by the early and later stages of the process. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “Subsequently,” and “Following this” help the reader follow the stages. However, some links are mechanical, and the relationship between ideas is occasionally unclear. For instance, “since there is no moisture in the winds” gives an abrupt explanation, while the final sentence adds a detail that does not clearly connect to the process. The overview also repeats the sequence rather than clearly summarising the transformation from moist onshore air to dry inland air. Use more precise links between each cause and result, and keep each paragraph focused on a distinct part of the process.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “formation,” “moisture,” “clouds,” “peak,” and “leeward side,” so the topic is generally recognisable. There are also attempts at more specific terms such as “linear process.” However, spelling errors and imprecise word choices are noticeable, including “windswards,” “cost,” “mositure,” and “fiinal.” Some combinations are unnatural, such as “moisture rise at air” and “small particles of the rain shadow desert.” These choices sometimes make the description difficult to interpret. Aim for accurate collocations and consistent use of the diagram’s labels, for example “moist air rises,” “rain falls on the windward side,” and “dry air descends on the leeward side.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a sequence joined with “then” and a causal clause beginning “since.” However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make the process difficult to follow. Examples include “the linear process consist,” “it pushed upward,” “the remaining air continue,” and “dry winds reaches,” where subject–verb agreement or verb forms are incorrect. Articles and sentence construction also need attention, as in “formation of rain shadow desert” and “it become dry.” Practise keeping the subject and verb consistent in each stage, and check tense and agreement when describing a process. Shorter, accurately formed sentences would improve clarity before you add more complex structures.

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