Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-14

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 deserts.

Overall,There are 7 steps of the formation where winds approach coast starts first and Dry winds reach inland areas at the end. The length of mountains are thousands of kilometres with sides(windward and leeward).

Firstly, Through sea winds approach coast and winds pushed upwards.Similarly,Moist air rises and cools passes through windward side which forms cloud.Then, rain falls at the top of the mountains.

Additionally,From the top of the mountain, Dry air continues over mountain passing by leeward side and at last, Dry winds reach inland areas which is also known as rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram’s subject and give a basic overview of the seven-stage sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland. You also mention the windward and leeward sides and the rain-shadow desert, so the response is relevant. However, the process is only partly described: the key link between rising, cooling moist air, cloud formation and rainfall is compressed, and the final desert is described as if it were simply another name for the inland area. The response also falls 49 words short of the required minimum, which limits the detail you can provide. To develop the report, explain each stage more fully and clarify that the desert forms inland on the leeward side after the air has lost moisture.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and a sequence of stages. The use of “Overall,” “Firstly,” “Then,” and “Additionally” helps the reader follow the process from the coast towards the inland desert. This gives the report a coherent overall arrangement. However, some links are mechanical or unclear, particularly “Similarly” before the description of rising air, where the relationship is sequential rather than a comparison. The long final sentence also combines several stages without clearly separating them. Use linking words that show cause and sequence accurately, and divide the process into clearer sentences or paragraphs so each stage is easy to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “formation,” “windward,” “leeward,” “moist air,” and “dry winds,” which helps communicate the main subject. The range is nevertheless limited, with repeated use of “winds,” “mountain,” and “reach,” and some combinations are unnatural or imprecise. For example, “the length of mountains are thousands of kilometres” does not clearly express the diagram’s horizontal scale, and “which is also known as rain-shadow desert” inaccurately equates the inland area with the desert. Choose more precise process language and vary verbs such as “move,” “rise,” and “cross.” Also use standard forms such as “clouds” when referring to the clouds shown in the diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a relative clause in “which forms cloud” and a sequence joined with “where.” However, the range is limited, and errors in sentence construction and agreement sometimes make the meaning difficult to follow. In “There are 7 steps of the formation where winds approach coast starts first,” the clause is not grammatically complete, and “the length of mountains are” has subject–verb disagreement. Articles are also missing in phrases such as “approach coast” and “forms cloud.” Punctuation and spacing around sentence openings and commas are inconsistent. Build clearer sentences with one main stage per clause, and check articles, agreement, and punctuation when revising.

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