Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-13

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 pictorial representation demonstrates the information about the formartion of rain-shadow desert which is a type of desert .

A cursory glance on the diagram reveals that the process begins with when wind approaches coast and is pushed upwards by the mountains . moist air rises and cools , ,eventually forming clouds and those clouds results in rainfall .

probing further,dry air remained coming across over the mountain and finnaly reach the island area which become the main cause of forming desert

overall, the process of formation of the rain-shadow is quite complex which begins with approaching of winds and culminates with reaching of dry winds in island areas

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the main sequence: winds approach the coast, rise over the mountains, cool, form clouds and produce rain; then dry air travels inland and contributes to desert formation. This is relevant and gives the reader a basic account of the process. However, the description is brief and leaves important details underdeveloped, including the windward and leeward sides and the rain-shadow desert’s position beyond the mountains. The claim that the process is “quite complex” does not add a useful overview of its defining pattern. The response is also 41 words below the required minimum, limiting the detail you can provide. To improve, give a clearer overview and describe each stage and the locations more fully, without adding unsupported causes.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable sequence, moving from approaching winds to rainfall and then dry air reaching inland areas. Paragraph breaks also separate the opening, process description and concluding overview. However, progression is not consistently clear: “probing further” is an awkward transition, and the final paragraph largely repeats the sequence rather than summarising the key relationship between rainfall on one side and desert formation inland. Some links are also unclear, as in “those clouds results in rainfall.” Organise the stages in a more direct chronological order and use precise connectors such as “as a result” or “after crossing the mountains.” A concise overview should highlight the contrast between the wet windward side and dry leeward side.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You attempt some task-related vocabulary, including “moist air,” “rainfall,” “dry air” and “formation,” which helps communicate the process. There is also some variety in expressions such as “a cursory glance” and “probing further,” although these sound unnecessarily elaborate for a process description and are not always used naturally. Several spelling errors—“formartion” and “finnaly”—and imprecise choices such as “island area” for “inland area” reduce clarity. “Remained coming across over the mountain” is also an awkward collocation. Aim for accurate, conventional process vocabulary and check spelling carefully; terms such as “windward side,” “leeward side,” “rises,” “cools” and “continues inland” would make the account more precise.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including a sequence joined with “and” and a concluding sentence beginning “overall.” However, complex constructions are often faulty, and errors sometimes make relationships difficult to follow. For example, “the process begins with when wind approaches coast” combines incompatible patterns and omits an article; “those clouds results” has subject–verb disagreement; and “dry air remained coming” uses an unsuitable verb form. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with spaces before full stops and a doubled comma. Use straightforward, controlled sentences first, then add clauses with accurate forms—for example, “As the moist air rises and cools, clouds form and rain falls.”

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