Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-18

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 that how one type of desert ,known as rain-shadow desert is actually formed.

Overall, the diagrams shows that how window approach coast started from the sea and going through different sides i.e. Windward and Leeward sides with rainfall on moutains aswell and reaching to final point in which dry winds poured in the inland areas with the coverage of thousand kilometers distance.

Firstly, the wind approach from the sea, then pushed upward. After the air rises it becomes moist and cold at the same time. When the air becomes colder then clouds are formed. The formation of clouds causes the heavy rainfall over the mountains on the windward side.

Additionally, on the other side of mountain called as Leeward, the dry air continues and then reach to the final step and goes into inland areas where rain-shadow desert is formed. Almost, thousand of kilometers distance is covered between this overall process.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence from coastal winds rising over the mountains to rain on the windward side and dry air reaching the inland desert. The overview also identifies the broad contrast between the two mountain sides, which is relevant to the diagram. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the air is described as becoming “moist and cold” after rising, whereas the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling, and “heavy” rainfall is not specified. The final reference to a distance of thousands of kilometres is included, but it is not clearly explained as the horizontal scale. To strengthen the report, describe the stages precisely and make the overview focus on the process and the rain-shadow effect.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and two paragraphs describing the stages. Sequencing words such as “Firstly,” “then” and “Additionally” help the reader follow the process from the coast to the inland area. However, some connections are mechanical or unclear. The overview’s long sentence combines the wind’s route, rainfall and distance, making the main pattern difficult to identify; “i.e. Windward and Leeward sides” is also an imprecise link. The final paragraph moves from the leeward side to the desert and then back to the distance without a clear relationship. Use shorter, more focused sentences and connect each stage explicitly to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward,” “Leeward,” “rainfall,” “dry air” and “inland areas,” so the reader can identify the main features. There are also attempts to vary wording, such as “pushed upward” and “continues.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural for describing this diagram: “window” appears instead of “winds,” “winds poured” does not fit the process, and “thousand of kilometers distance” is an awkward expression. “Rain-shadow desert” is sometimes used without the article needed in context. Aim for precise process collocations and consistent terminology, for example, “winds are forced upwards” and “dry air moves inland.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a sequence of clauses beginning “When the air becomes colder,” and the stages are generally understandable. However, some errors in sentence structure and agreement remain. The opening “illustrates that how” is not a correct construction, and “the diagrams shows” has a subject–verb agreement error. In “the dry air continues and then reach,” the verb form does not agree with its subject; “the wind approach” also needs a plural subject and verb. Articles and punctuation are inconsistent, as in “on moutains” and the spacing around commas. Practise accurate clause patterns and check agreement and articles when editing.

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