Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-20

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 diagram illustrates a natural process in formation of rain-shadow deserts thousands of kilometer away in the leeward side of the mountain.

Overall, the process includes seven sequential stages, starting from moist winds from coast rising upwards and cluminating in formation of rain-shadow deserts.

To begin with, winds from the sea approaches the coast and this moist winds are pushed upward and then cools. Clouds get formed in the winward side and rises up to the top of the mountain before resulting in precipitation as rainfalls. Neverthless, the rainfall only occurs in the windward part of the mountain and other side remains dry.

Next, the dry winds continue to decline over the mountain and reaches the inland areas of leeward side. In the inland the rain shadow desert forms.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence and give an overview that the process has seven stages, beginning with winds from the coast and ending with a desert inland. You also correctly distinguish the rainy windward side from the dry leeward side. However, some stages are unclear or inaccurately described: clouds do not rise up the mountain; moist air rises and cools, leading to cloud formation and rain on the windward side. The overview also says the winds are “moist” at the start, but does not clearly explain that the air becomes dry after rainfall and continues inland. The response is 130 words, below the required 150, so the process is only partially developed. Add detail about the air’s changing moisture and the desert’s inland location.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction and overview are followed by the windward stages and then the inland outcome. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with” and “Next” help the reader follow the process. However, the progression is not always smooth because several stages are compressed into long sentences, and the relationship between cloud formation, rising air and rainfall is not clearly expressed. “Nevertheless” signals contrast, but the contrast is not fully developed, while “In the inland” repeats the location without adding much. Use a more consistent sequence of stages and clearer links, such as explaining that rain removes moisture before the remaining dry air crosses the mountain.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “precipitation,” “windward,” “leeward,” “inland” and “rain-shadow desert,” which shows an adequate range for describing the diagram. Some choices are inaccurate or awkward, however: “cluminating” appears to be a misspelling of “culminating,” “clouds get formed” is less natural than “clouds form,” and “dry winds continue to decline” does not clearly describe the air moving over the mountain. There are also spelling errors in “winward” and “Neverthless,” and “rainfalls” is not the natural noun form here. Aim for precise process collocations and check spelling, especially for key geographical terms, so the reader can follow each stage without hesitation.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and complex sentences, including the overview clause “starting from…” and the sequence joined by “and then.” The main meaning is generally understandable, but some sentence structures and agreement patterns are inaccurate. For example, “winds from the sea approaches” should use a plural verb, and “this moist winds … cools” has mismatched number and agreement. In “the dry winds continue to decline … and reaches,” the verbs do not agree with the plural subject. Articles and prepositions also need attention in phrases such as “in formation” and “in the leeward side.” Build accuracy by checking each subject–verb pair and using complete, clearly linked clauses when describing the stages.

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.