Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-17

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 process diagram illustratres the formation of one stage desert,know as a rain shadow desert,is appear.

it outlines the various stages involved,begning with winds approach cpast and end with dry winds reach inland areas.

Overall, the process consist of seven stage.several procedures are involved before the final product is obtained.

Initially, winds approach the coast to take water from the sea and winds pushed upward to take moisture air rises and cools from the windward side that has been converted into clouds formation by absorbing moisture that cause rain fall on the top of mountain. In contrast the dry air continues ovr the mountain on the leeward side by which dry winds reach inlamd areas that make rain shadow desert.moreover the wind ward side starts from sea are and leeward side starts from dry area in which their is no formation of sea or coast. The winds from sea side make the fornation of rain on mountain, on the other side their is no formation of rain to leeward side.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the diagram as a process and give its overall sequence, noting that it has seven stages and ends with dry winds reaching inland areas. You also include the key contrast between rain on the windward side and dry conditions beyond the mountains, so the main mechanism is recognisable. However, some stages are not clearly or accurately explained: the winds do not “take water from the sea” in the diagram, and the account of moisture, cloud formation and rainfall is difficult to follow. The final comparison about where each side “starts” is also unclear and adds little. To strengthen the summary, describe each stage in order using the diagram’s labels and explain more precisely how rising air loses moisture before continuing inland.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response has an opening, an overview and a body paragraph, and the sequence from approaching winds to inland dry winds is broadly apparent. This gives the reader some organisation. However, progression becomes difficult to follow in the long body sentence, where several stages are joined together with “and,” “that” and “by which.” The contrast marker “In contrast” does not clearly introduce a comparison, while “moreover” introduces a repeated point rather than a new stage. References such as “that” and “their” are also unclear. Use one or two stages per sentence, follow the diagram’s sequence, and use linking expressions only when their relationship is clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moisture,” “clouds” and “rain shadow desert,” which helps convey the topic. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unclear, such as “take water from the sea,” “moisture air,” “clouds formation” and “final product.” Spelling errors, including “illustratres,” “begning” and “inlamd,” also make parts of the description harder to read. Aim for precise, natural terms that describe the stages rather than adding unsupported actions. For example, say that moist air rises and cools, clouds form, and rain falls on the windward side; then describe the air as dry as it crosses the mountain.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences, and the opening overview communicates the general sequence. However, control of sentence structure is uneven, particularly in the body, where clauses are joined without clear grammatical relationships: “winds pushed upward to take moisture air rises and cools” is difficult to parse. There are also errors in agreement and verb forms, as in “the process consist” and “that make rain shadow desert,” as well as missing or incorrect articles and punctuation. These problems sometimes obscure the process. Build clearer sentences with a subject and verb for each stage, for example: “Moist air rises over the windward slope and cools. Clouds then form, and rain falls.” Check agreement, articles and sentence boundaries during revision.

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