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 depicts the information about the formation of rain-shadow desert.

After analyzing, it can be seen clearly in first step, the winds were approached from sea side, in second step the cool winds pushed upwards through mountain, after that the winds get very cool when it reached on altitude it get little bit moistured and the winds formed clouds in forth step. Additionally in fifth step the rain started falling from the clouds on the mountains.

The diagram further collates, while raining the dry air continously started over the mountains whilst,after raining continously for a long hours the dry winds reached inland area through leewward down slide and then the rain-shadow desert formed.

Overall, there are seven steps for the formation of rain-shadow desert. Missing of any step can halt the whole diagram.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the process as having seven stages and describe the broad movement from the sea, over the mountains, and towards inland areas. However, several key details are inaccurate or unclear: the winds are not described as cool before rising, and the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling, then forming clouds and producing rain on the windward side. The explanation that the air becomes “little bit moistured” reverses or obscures this sequence. The final formation of the desert is also asserted rather than clearly linked to dry winds reaching inland. The overview adds an unsupported claim that missing a step would halt the process. The response is also below the required 150 words; use the space to report the stages accurately and explain the windward/leeward contrast.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure, and the stages are mostly presented in sequence, with markers such as “in first step,” “after that,” and “in fifth step.” This gives the reader some sense of progression. However, the sequence becomes difficult to follow in the second paragraph, particularly in “while raining the dry air continously started over the mountains whilst,after raining continously for a long hours…” The linking words are sometimes awkward or overused, and the final “Overall” sentence introduces a general comment rather than summarising the process. Improve progression by grouping the stages into clear phases and using precise links such as “as a result” and “on the leeward side.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “winds,” “clouds,” “rain,” “mountains,” and “inland,” and terms such as “formation” and “altitude” show an attempt to use more formal language. However, the range is limited and several word choices or forms are inaccurate, which sometimes makes the process hard to understand. For example, “moistured” is not the correct form, “collates” does not fit the meaning, and “leewward down slide” is unclear. Spelling errors such as “continously” and “forth” also reduce precision. Aim for accurate geographical terms and natural collocations, such as “moist air,” “windward slope,” and “dry air descends.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including a sequence joined with “after that” and a contrast introduced by “whilst.” However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors in tense, agreement, articles, and sentence construction occur frequently. Examples include “the winds were approached,” “when it reached on altitude it get,” and “the dry air continously started over the mountains.” These forms make relationships between stages unclear. Punctuation also needs attention, as in “whilst,after raining,” where spacing and clause boundaries are incorrect. Practise describing processes in the present simple, for example, “Moist air rises, cools and forms clouds,” and check that each sentence has a clear subject and verb.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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