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 provided illustration below displays the formation of one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert in the area of mountains and sea.

Overall, is a multi-step process consisting of seven distinct phases. It begins with winds approach coast over the sea and ends with reaching dry winds to inland areas over the distance of thousands of -kilometres.

Initially, winds are formed over the sea on the direction of mountains. This is followed by/ pushing winds upwards of the mountains. After that, the moist air is raised and cooled on the windward side. Once the moist air has been cooled, clouds are formed. At the top pf the mountains, rain is fell. Then the dry air is continued over the mountains on the leeward side. Ultimately, the dry winds are reached to inland areas at the bottom of the other side of the mountains to form rain-shadow desert and this costs thousands of kilometres.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a seven-stage process and give a relevant overview, noting that it starts with winds approaching the coast and ends with dry winds reaching inland areas. The sequence from rising, cooling moist air to cloud formation and rainfall, followed by dry air crossing the mountains, is also broadly accurate. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: winds are not described as being “formed” over the sea, and the final phrase “this costs thousands of kilometres” misrepresents the scale label, which indicates distance rather than a cost. The explanation of how the rain-shadow desert results from dry winds is brief. The response is 146 words, below the required 150; add a little accurate detail to complete the account.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall order: an introduction, an overview, and a sequence of stages marked by “Initially,” “After that,” “Once,” “Then,” and “Ultimately.” This makes the process generally easy to follow and supports a coherent progression. However, the linking is sometimes mechanical, and the slash in “followed by/ pushing” interrupts the flow. Some references are also imprecise: “the other side of the mountains” could be replaced with “the leeward side,” and “this” in the final sentence does not clearly refer to the distance or the desert. Use a smaller range of accurate transitions and make each stage’s relationship to the next explicit.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “clouds,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps convey the diagram’s subject. There is also some variety in verbs such as “rises,” “cooled,” and “continues.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “winds are formed,” “rain is fell,” “dry winds are reached,” and “this costs thousands of kilometres.” These choices sometimes obscure the intended meaning. Aim for precise process language, such as “winds blow from the sea,” “rain falls,” and “dry winds reach inland areas.” Check spelling as well: “pf” should be “of.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt a range of sentence patterns, including a passive construction in “the moist air is raised and cooled” and a time clause beginning “Once the moist air has been cooled.” The stages are usually expressed in a recognisable sequence. However, errors are frequent, and some sentences are faulty enough to make the process harder to understand. For example, “Overall, is a multi-step process” lacks a subject, while “winds approach coast” and “dry winds are reached to inland areas” have problems with articles and verb construction. “Rain is fell” also uses an incorrect verb form. Practise forming complete sentences with a clear subject and accurate active or passive verbs, and check articles and prepositions in each clause.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.