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 one type of desert , we none it the rain shadow deserts.

Overall, the rain shadow deserts start 7 type of shadow. beginning he winds approach coast and ending with the formation of a rain shadow desert on the leeward side of the mountain.

Firstly, show the sea approach the coast side and then it winds pushed upward as they reach the mountain. after that the most air risen and cools, it shows the clouds form windward side and the mountains side. However, the moisture has already fallen the rain shadow windward side after that the dry air continues over mountain ,the rain shadow desert show heavy rain fall.

After this rainfall, the air dry continues to move over the top of the mountain and towards the leeward side . At this stage, the air is dry because much it moisture has fallen opposite side. the dry air then moves down the mountain slope and continue towards the inland areas.

Finally, the dry winds reach inland areas region, where very little rain fall occurs.As a result, the land receives insufficient moisture to support much vegetation of a rain shadow desert. The diagram also shows that this process can extend over thousands of kilometres.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as the formation of a rain-shadow desert and include several key stages: winds approach the coast, rise over the mountains, cool, produce clouds and rain, and continue inland as dry air. The final reference to the process extending thousands of kilometres is also grounded in the diagram. However, the overview is unclear (“start 7 type of shadow”) and incorrectly places the desert “on the leeward side” rather than clearly identifying it in the inland area beyond that side. There is also a significant misreporting of the rainfall: the response says the desert shows “heavy rain fall,” whereas rain falls on the windward side and the inland rain-shadow area is dry. Clarifying the overall contrast and accurately describing where rain falls would make the summary more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable sequence, moving from the coast and mountain to the inland area, and paragraph breaks help separate the overview from the stages. Connectors such as “Firstly,” “After this rainfall,” and “Finally” guide the reader through the process. However, some links are mechanical or confusing: “Overall” is followed by an unclear summary, and “However” does not establish a clear contrast in the sentence about moisture and rainfall. The repeated explanation that dry air continues over the mountain also interrupts progression. Use one clear overview, then describe each stage once in order, with references such as “this air” made explicit so the relationships between stages are easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “coast,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moisture,” and “inland areas,” which helps communicate the topic. There are also attempts at more specific phrasing, such as “insufficient moisture to support much vegetation.” However, several word-choice, spelling, and collocation problems make parts difficult to understand: “we none it” appears to mean “we know it,” “most air” should be “moist air,” and “start 7 type of shadow” is not a clear description. “The rain shadow desert show heavy rain fall” also uses an inaccurate and awkward phrase. Choose precise process terms and check spelling and natural combinations, especially for “rainfall,” “dry air,” and “rain-shadow desert.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a relative clause in “where very little rain fall occurs” and a reason clause in “because much it moisture has fallen.” This shows some range, but control is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make the intended meaning hard to follow. Examples include “it winds pushed upward,” “the most air risen and cools,” and “the dry air then moves down the mountain slope and continue,” where verb forms and agreement are faulty. Articles and sentence boundaries also need attention, as in “over mountain ,the” and “occurs.As a result.” Practise forming accurate present-simple process descriptions, checking subject–verb agreement, and separating sentences with appropriate punctuation.

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