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 diagram illustrates the formation of the rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process begins when the sea winds approach the coast, raised over mountains and completes when dried winds reaches the inland areas resulting in rain-shadow desert.

To begin with, the winds from the sea approaches to the coast. By colliding with the mountains, it is pushed into windward side, where the moist air raises and cools and turns into clouds. As process continous, the coulds get darker when they almost reach above the mountains resulting in rain fall at the peak. Before the dry air continues over the mountain, the snow is formed as a by-product of rain on the peak of the mountain. As the dries winds passing through leeward side, it reaches the inland area where rain-shadow desert is formed. The wind travels through thousands of kilometers in order to create this type of desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process and give a broad overview from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland, which captures the main direction of change. You also describe several key stages: air rises and cools, clouds form, rain falls, and dry air crosses the mountain. However, some details are not supported by the diagram: it does not show clouds darkening or snow forming, and rain is shown on the windward side rather than specifically at the peak. The overview could more clearly explain that moisture is lost before the air descends on the leeward side, creating the desert inland. The response is also three words below the required minimum. Include only diagram-based details and develop the stages more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall shape, with an introduction, an overview, and a chronological description. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “As process continues,” and “Before” help the reader follow the stages. The progression is generally understandable, but some links are awkward or unclear: “Before the dry air continues over the mountain” does not clearly connect the added snow detail to the process, and “As the dries winds passing through leeward side” makes the final transition difficult to follow. Use simpler, more precise links between each stage, and ensure each sentence clearly identifies what happens next. A separate paragraph for the detailed stages would also make the organisation easier to scan.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “inland areas,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps communicate the topic. There is also some attempt to vary wording with phrases such as “by colliding” and “as a by-product.” However, several word choices and forms are inaccurate or unnatural, including “dried winds,” “the dries winds,” “raises,” and “the coulds.” “The clouds get darker” and “snow is formed as a by-product” also introduce imprecise descriptions. Aim for accurate process collocations such as “dry air descends” and “rain falls,” and check spelling and word forms carefully. This would make the description more precise and fluent.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses with “where,” “when,” and “in order to,” so there is some structural variety. The main sequence can usually be understood, but errors in agreement and verb forms occur in several places: “the sea winds … approaches,” “it is pushed,” and “it reaches” do not consistently match their subjects. The overview phrase “raised over mountains and completes” is also grammatically incomplete, while “As the dries winds passing” lacks a finite verb. Articles and prepositions are sometimes missing or awkward, as in “into windward side” and “over the mountain.” Review subject–verb agreement and make sure each clause has a complete, correctly formed verb.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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