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)

This diagram illustrates the formation of rain-shadow deserts occurs from the coast land area to the other side of mountain inland area. Travelling thousands of kilometres from one side of the mountains to another side.

Overall, the main features of that formation was winds approach coast,winds pushed upwards,moist air rises and cools forming clouds form then comes rain falls,dry air continues over mountain and lastly dry winds reach inland areas. it shows how moist air rises from the sea coast. when the winds starts ascending upward,cool moist air formed which starts turning into cloud form. Futhermore, the clouds falls rain.

Subsequently,when it reaches to the other side of mountain which is leeward area, dry air continues over the mountain descending towards inland.

After that, dry winds starts reaching to the inland areas making rain shadow.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland, and mention the key contrast between moist air and dry air. However, the overview mostly repeats the stages rather than summarising the central cause-and-effect pattern: moist air rises over the windward side, loses moisture as rain, and then descends on the leeward side to create a dry inland area. Some details are unclear or inaccurate, such as saying that “cool moist air formed” and that “the clouds falls rain.” The response also contains 135 words, below the required 150, so the process is not developed sufficiently. Add a clearer overview and explain the windward/leeward contrast more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic progression through the process, and paragraph breaks help separate the overview from later stages. Sequencing expressions such as “Overall,” “Subsequently,” and “After that” show the intended order. However, the first paragraph is crowded with a long list of stages, while the later paragraphs are very brief, so the development feels uneven. Some links are mechanical or unclear: “Furthermore, the clouds falls rain” does not clearly connect the formation of clouds to precipitation, and “when it reaches to the other side” has an unclear reference. Organise the stages into a more balanced sequence and use clear references such as “the air” or “this dry air” to guide the reader.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “coast,” “mountain,” “leeward,” “inland,” and “rain shadow,” which helps communicate the topic. However, the range is limited and several phrases are repetitive or imprecise, including repeated uses of “winds,” “area,” and “starts.” Some combinations are unnatural, such as “the clouds falls rain” and “making rain shadow,” and “cool moist air formed” does not express the process clearly. Spelling and word-form slips, including “Futhermore,” also reduce accuracy. Aim for more precise process language and natural collocations, for example, describe air as “rising,” “cooling,” and “descending,” and say that rainfall leaves the air drier.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, but control is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make the process difficult to follow. The opening sentence, “This diagram illustrates the formation … occurs,” combines two structures incorrectly. There are also problems with agreement and verb forms in “the main features … was,” “the winds starts,” and “the clouds falls.” Sentence boundaries and punctuation need attention: the overview begins with a lower-case “it,” and several clauses are joined with commas without clear sentence structure. Use a reliable pattern for each stage, such as “As the moist air rises, it cools and forms clouds,” and check subject–verb agreement and sentence boundaries before finishing.

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