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 given picture demonstrates clearly the formation of rain-shadow desert which gives the information about two sides of Himalayan condition.overall given picture have depicted the different stage of rain-shadow desert where it is showed that how can a sea air formed into cloud and rain, finally that dry air cause the rain shadow desert.The information from the diagram has given the two sides of mountains wherase one side indicated the coastal areas wind that cames from the sea level and approach the coastal air significantly upwards.Then the upwards winds are pushed to moist and become cool.Afterthat the cool air formed cloud and the cloud formation approach towards rain falls. On the other hand, the dry air have came from over mountain and this dry winds reached inland areas which diverted into rain shadow desert. This rain-shadow desert and coastal areas have a distance of thousands kilometers that is differentiated by mountains.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main process: moist air from the sea rises over the mountains, cools, forms clouds and produces rain, while drier air continues inland and contributes to a rain-shadow desert. This covers the central stages and gives a broad overview. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the diagram shows winds approaching the coast and being forced upwards by the mountains, rather than “coastal areas wind” rising, and it does not identify the mountains as Himalayan. The overview also does not clearly explain the contrast between the wet windward side and the dry leeward side. To strengthen the report, describe the stages in order and explicitly connect rainfall on the windward side with dry conditions and desert formation inland.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response follows the general sequence from sea to mountains and then inland, and the phrases “overall” and “On the other hand” show an attempt to guide the reader. However, the whole report is presented as one long paragraph, so the overview and process details are not clearly separated. Several links are awkward or unclear, such as “the cloud formation approach towards rain falls,” and the repeated use of “air,” “cloud” and “rain” makes progression feel repetitive. Organise the response into a brief overview followed by a step-by-step description, using clear links such as “As a result,” “Once the air reaches the peak,” and “On the leeward side.” This would make the sequence easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist,” “cool,” “dry winds,” “inland areas” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps communicate the topic. There is also an attempt to use more formal wording, for example “depicted” and “indicated.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, including “Himalayan condition,” “sea level,” “coastal air” and “diverted into rain shadow desert.” Some words are repeated, particularly “air,” “cloud” and “formation,” limiting the range. Choose precise terms from the diagram, such as “windward side,” “leeward side,” “rises,” “condenses” and “precipitation,” and use natural collocations to explain the process. This would improve precision without requiring unnecessarily complex vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt to combine ideas in longer sentences, including the opening overview and the contrast introduced by “On the other hand.” However, the range of sentence structures is limited, and many sentences contain errors that make relationships difficult to understand. For example, “overall given picture have depicted” has problems with articles and subject–verb agreement, while “the dry air have came” uses an incorrect verb form. The sentence beginning “The information from the diagram has given” also has an unclear subject and structure. Use straightforward present-tense forms for a process diagram: “The diagram shows,” “moist air rises,” and “dry air continues inland.” Check agreement, verb forms, articles and sentence boundaries, then add a few accurate complex sentences to show the stages and their causes.

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