Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 how rain-shadow is formed takes place, showing the various stages involved from beginning to end.

Overall, the process consists of seven main stages, beginning with moist air from the sea, then being forced to rise over the mountains, resulting in cloud formation and rain, and ending with dry winds in the inland areas. It is cyclical process involving several steps.

Initially, winds from the sea move towards, then it pushed upwards. After that, moist air rises and cools. Next, after few hours, it form into clouds. Subsequently, rainfalls in windward side of the mountains, where various types of vegetarian is grown.

In contrast, after realising most of its moister, the dry air continues over the mountain range, and desends in leewars side. As it moves towards inland areas. It takes thousands of kilometers to formed. Finally, the formation of rain-shadow deserts is completed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence and give an overview: moist air rises over the mountains, rain falls on the windward side, and dry winds continue inland. This covers the central process, but some details are unclear or unsupported. For example, “after few hours” is not shown in the diagram, and “where various types of vegetarian is grown” adds information that is not provided. The claim that it “takes thousands of kilometers to formed” misuses the diagram’s scale label, which indicates the horizontal distance rather than a formation time. The process is also described as cyclical, although the diagram presents a sequence. The response is four words below the required minimum. Develop the stages more accurately and avoid adding assumptions.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall arrangement: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing the windward and leeward stages. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “After that,” “Subsequently,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. However, some links are mechanical or do not connect complete ideas effectively. “As it moves towards inland areas.” is a sentence fragment, while “In contrast” suggests a comparison rather than the next stage in a process. The progression also becomes unclear around “It takes thousands of kilometers to formed.” Use transitions that show sequence and cause, and connect each stage in complete sentences. This would make the otherwise coherent organisation smoother and the relationships between stages clearer.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “cloud formation,” “windward side,” “dry air,” and “inland areas,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There is also some variety in sequencing language. However, several word-choice, collocation, spelling, and word-form errors reduce precision: “rainfalls” is less suitable than “rain falls,” “vegetarian” appears to be an incorrect choice for vegetation, and “moister” should be “moisture.” “Desends” and “leewars” are misspelled, and “to formed” is not an appropriate phrase. Some wording, such as “rain-shadow is formed takes place,” is also awkward. Choose accurate geographical terms and check spelling and collocations so the process is described more naturally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex forms, including the overview’s participle phrase “beginning with…” and the clause “where various types of vegetarian is grown.” However, control is inconsistent, and several errors make parts of the process difficult to follow. Examples include “rain-shadow is formed takes place,” “then it pushed upwards,” and “it form into clouds,” where verb forms or sentence construction are faulty. “As it moves towards inland areas” is a fragment, and “It takes thousands of kilometers to formed” has an incorrect infinitive construction. Articles and agreement also need attention, as in “It is cyclical process.” Practise forming complete sentences with consistent subjects and verbs, and check articles, agreement, and verb forms before submitting.

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