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)

Given is a diagram illustrating the process by which rain shadow desert is formed .it is evident from the information provided that there are 7 main stages involved .

The process begins with the wind approach towards coast so prior to the actual formation of clouds the wind pushed in inclined direction on the mountains at such point called windward side where air consist of moist and cooling temperature .

the second stage of the process follows the formation of cloud with winds consist of moist edge up towards peak of mountain where cloud made.Having further cloud consist large amount of moist and cool cause rainfall on the edge of hills

In the third and final phase where the moist got seprated from air and dry air continues in downward direction of hill that point known as leeward side and after passing through this particular point the dry wind reached in land areas which finalised process of rain shadow desert .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the process as having seven stages and cover its main movement from coastal winds to dry inland air. The account includes key features such as air rising over the windward side, rain falling near the mountains, and dry winds reaching inland, so the response addresses the diagram. However, some stages are not reported in the correct order or clearly distinguished: clouds form after moist air rises and cools, whereas your second paragraph says cloud formation follows the wind stage without clearly explaining this cooling sequence. The overview is also limited; state directly that moisture is lost on the windward side and the resulting dry air creates a rain-shadow desert beyond the leeward side. A more precise account of the stages would make the main features clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has an overall chronological structure, moving from the approaching wind to the inland desert, and paragraph breaks help separate parts of the process. Sequencing phrases such as “The process begins,” “the second stage,” and “In the third and final phase” show an effort to guide the reader. However, the stages are grouped and labelled inconsistently: the text refers to seven stages, then describes a “second stage” and a “third and final phase,” although several distinct steps remain. Some links are also difficult to follow, particularly “Having further cloud consist large amount of moist and cool cause rainfall.” Use clearer transitions and give each major phase in sequence, with pronouns and references that make the subject of each sentence unmistakable.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist,” “dry air,” and “rainfall,” which helps convey the diagram’s subject. There are also attempts at more formal wording, such as “illustrating” and “finalised process.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, including “wind approach towards coast,” “air consist of moist,” and “cloud made.” Spelling errors such as “seprated” and “in land” also reduce precision. Choose standard process descriptions and check word forms and spelling; for example, describe winds as approaching the coast, moist air rising, and clouds forming. This would make the account more fluent and precise without requiring a much wider vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, including clauses introduced by “where” and “after,” and the overall sequence can generally be understood. However, some grammatical errors make relationships between stages unclear. For example, “the wind pushed in inclined direction” lacks a clear subject-verb form and article, while “where air consist of moist and cooling temperature” has problems with agreement and clause construction. The sentence beginning “Having further cloud…” is also difficult to parse, and several sentences run together without appropriate punctuation. Practise forming clear subject–verb sentences first, then connect them with accurate subordinate clauses. Consistent sentence boundaries, articles, and verb agreement would improve control while preserving your attempts at complex structures.

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