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 provided pictorial chart represent how one type of desert called a rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall,in case of forming rain-shaow deserts the procedure started from the sea and ended at inland to form deserts.

It is crystal clear that in the beginning the win approach the coast from the sea after that win puhed it to upwards then the moist air rises and cooled down. Moreover, the clouds get formed on the windward side.

In addition, the rain falls down on the top of mountains then the dry air continues to flow over the mountain. Furthermore,the dry wind falls down on the leeward side where the the dry air reach to inland areas where the formation of rain-shadow desert get completed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as the formation of a rain-shadow desert and cover its main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland. This is relevant and gives the reader a basic account of the diagram. However, the overview is vague: “started from the sea and ended at inland” does not clearly summarise the key cause-and-effect pattern, namely that moist air rises and rains on the windward side, leaving dry air to cross the mountains and create a desert inland. Some details are also unclear or inaccurate, such as saying the dry wind “falls down” and that the desert’s formation “get completed.” The response is 122 words, below the required 150, so several stages are only briefly described. Add a clearer overview and explain the stages more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The stages are presented in a generally logical order, and the reader can follow the movement from the sea, over the mountains, and towards the inland desert. You also use linking expressions such as “Moreover,” “In addition,” and “Furthermore.” However, these connectors are somewhat mechanical and do not always show the precise relationship between stages. The response is written as one continuous block, so the overview and process details are not clearly separated. Some references are also confusing, particularly “the dry air continues to flow over the mountain” followed by “the dry wind falls down,” where the relationship between the air and wind is not clearly expressed. Use a separate overview paragraph and group the stages into clear sections, with simpler, more precise links.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “clouds,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. However, the range is limited, and several noticeable spelling and word-choice errors reduce precision: “rain-shaow,” “win,” and “puhed” appear to be misspellings, while “the dry wind falls down” is an imprecise description of the air moving over the leeward side. Phrases such as “get formed” and “get completed” are also awkward for a formal process description. Aim for accurate terms such as “prevailing winds,” “rises,” “cools,” “precipitation,” and “forms,” and check spelling carefully. More precise vocabulary would make the stages easier to understand.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, including a sequence linked with “after that” and “then,” and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, errors occur frequently in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “the procedure started” shifts into past tense even though the diagram describes a general process; “the win approach” lacks correct subject–verb agreement; and “the moist air rises and cooled down” mixes present and past forms. The phrase “where the the dry air reach” also contains a repeated article and an incorrect verb form. These patterns make parts of the description difficult to read smoothly. Use the present simple consistently for process diagrams, and check each sentence for a clear subject, correctly formed verb, and appropriate articles.

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