Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-15

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 labelled illustration depicts the phenomenon of how rain-shadow deserts are developed, and it involves several steps starting with Winds approach coast, Winds pushed upwards, moist air rises and cools, cloud forms, rain falls, dry air continues over mountains, to dry winds reach inland over an extended distance.

The process starts when the winds blows at the sea side picking up the hot temperature from sea and it pushes the air upwards with inclination of mountains. As hot air rises into the atmosphere it cools down and come closer to form the accumalation of the clouds. Towards the leeward side of the mountain the dry air fall gradually along the side and which finally brings it to the inland areas, after traveling thousands of kilometers it finally form th Rain-shadow desert, this process involves different physical changes to the air to reach the inland.

Finally, to sum up the description of the rain-shadow desert that it is spreaded over large area including sea, mountains and inland. Moreover, it works through the chain of different chemical and physical changes to reach its final state.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence, from winds approaching the coast through uplift, cooling, cloud formation and rainfall to dry air reaching inland. This shows a relevant understanding of the diagram. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the diagram does not say the winds pick up heat from the sea, and it shows rain falling on the windward side, not simply clouds accumulating. The final summary that the desert “is spreaded over large area including sea, mountains and inland” misrepresents the desert’s location; it is inland beyond the leeward side. The overview also focuses on “chemical and physical changes,” which is not a clear summary of the process. Report the key contrast between rainfall on the windward side and dry conditions inland more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall order: an opening that previews the stages, a paragraph describing the process, and a concluding summary. Sequencing phrases such as “The process starts” and “Finally” help the reader follow the account. However, the first sentence lists the stages in a way that is difficult to parse, and the final paragraph repeats the idea of a chain of changes rather than adding a useful overview. Some links are awkward or unclear, particularly “and it pushes the air upwards” and “the dry air fall gradually along the side and which finally brings it.” Organise the stages into clearer sentences and use references such as “this air” only when their meaning is unmistakable.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “leeward side,” “inland areas,” “accumulation,” and “rain-shadow desert,” and the reader can generally understand the topic. There is some attempt to vary expression with phrases such as “picking up” and “final state.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: “picking up the hot temperature,” “form the accumulation of the clouds,” and “chemical and physical changes” do not describe the diagram precisely. Spelling and word-form errors, including “accumalation,” “spreaded,” and “th,” also reduce control. Choose direct process terms such as “moisture,” “condense,” and “precipitation,” and check spelling and collocations before submitting.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a sequence of linked clauses, and the main process can usually be followed. However, control is inconsistent, especially in complex sentences. Examples include “the winds blows,” where subject and verb do not agree, “it cools down and come closer,” where the verb forms do not match, and “the dry air fall gradually,” which also has an agreement error. The sentence beginning “Towards the leeward side” becomes difficult to follow because of the clause structure, while “to sum up the description … that it is” is not a complete, well-formed construction. Use shorter sentences for each stage, maintain consistent tense, and check agreement and clause boundaries.

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