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 the formation of one distinct type of desert, known as rain-shadow desert, is formed.

Overall, it is evident that this whole procedure consists of seven steps. In addition, the mountain through which all the major steps are performed is thousands of kilometers.

In detail, first step start from the sea where winds are approached to coast and then pushed upwards in second step. Furthermore, in third step the wind is converted to moist air and become cool. In fourth step the clouds are formed.

Turning to step five, rain falls on the peak of mountain and then dry air continues over mountain in step six. In final step dry winds reach inland areas and rain-shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 4.5

You identify the process as rain-shadow desert formation and report several central stages, including clouds forming, rain falling, and dry air moving inland. However, the account is brief and only minimally develops the diagram: it does not clearly explain that moist air rises and cools as it is forced over the mountains, and the overview’s claim that the mountain is “thousands of kilometers” misreads the scale label, which refers to the horizontal distance. The opening also repeats the idea of formation rather than giving a clear summary of the overall cause and outcome. The response is below the required 150 words, which limits the detail provided. To improve, describe the windward-to-leeward sequence more fully and distinguish the mountain from the distance shown.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs that follow the numbered stages. Sequencing expressions such as “first,” “in fourth step,” and “in final step” help the reader follow the process. However, the progression is somewhat mechanical, with repeated step-by-step phrasing, and the overview does not effectively summarise the process. Some links between stages are also unclear; for example, “Furthermore” does not show the causal relationship between rising air, cooling, and cloud formation. Use fewer formulaic transitions and connect stages through cause and effect, while keeping the sequence clear.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “coast,” “moist air,” “clouds,” “dry air,” and “inland areas,” so the main subject is generally understandable. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “rain-shadow desert.” However, the range is limited and some choices are inaccurate or awkward: “the mountain through which all the major steps are performed” does not naturally describe the diagram, and “winds are approached to coast” is not an appropriate collocation. Repetition of “step” also restricts variety. Aim for precise process language such as “air is forced upwards,” “moisture condenses,” and “the leeward side,” ensuring that each term matches the diagram.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple sentences and longer sequences, and the reader can usually understand the order of events. However, errors occur frequently, particularly in verb forms and sentence construction. The opening, “The diagram illustrates … is formed,” combines two structures and is grammatically incomplete; “first step start” also has incorrect agreement and lacks an article. In “the wind is converted to moist air and become cool,” the verb forms do not agree, and the process is expressed inaccurately through the sentence structure. Articles are also missing in phrases such as “on peak of mountain.” Practise forming accurate passive process sentences—for example, “The winds are forced upwards, where the moist air cools”—before adding more complex clauses.

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.