Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-23

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 provides the information how rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall , the diagram consist of 7 different steps beginning with winds approach coast and ends on dry winds reach inland areas . The key stages are mosit air rises and cools , make the clouds and rain falls on windward and leeward side.

At first step, winds approach to coast from the sea and pushed it upwards to the mountains . After that, moist air rises and and become cool on the windward side of the mountains and then , it becomes the reason for cloud formation . In the next step , due to those clouds, rain started to falls on the mountains.

Next, dry air continues over the mountain on the leeward side of the mountains and in the last step , it staretd to apporach dry winds inland areas wherre rain-shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as a sequence, give an overall start and end point, and mention the main stages of rising, cooling, cloud formation and rainfall. However, the overview is not fully accurate: rain is shown on the windward side, not on both the windward and leeward sides. Some details are also unclear or incomplete, such as how the air becomes dry as it crosses the mountain before reaching the inland desert. The response is 148 words, so it does not meet the required minimum of 150. To strengthen the report, describe the contrast between the rainy windward slope and the dry leeward side, and explain the final formation of the desert more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview and a chronological account of the stages. Sequencing phrases such as “At first step,” “After that” and “In the next step” help the reader follow the process. However, the linking is somewhat mechanical, and the overview repeats information that is then described again. Some connections are also unclear, particularly “the key stages are … make the clouds and rain falls,” where the relationship between the stages is difficult to follow. Improve progression by grouping the stages into a clear movement from moist air and rainfall on the windward side to dry air and desert formation inland, using fewer but more precise transitions.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “cloud formation” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps communicate the topic. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, such as “winds approach to coast,” “it becomes the reason for cloud formation” and “dry winds inland areas.” Spelling errors, including “mosit,” “staretd,” “apporach” and “wherre,” also reduce accuracy. These issues do not prevent the reader from understanding the general process, but they make the description less precise. Practise accurate process verbs and collocations, such as “rise,” “cool,” “condense,” “cross the mountain” and “reach inland areas.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the chronological account shows some ability to connect clauses. However, control is inconsistent, especially in longer sentences. Examples include “the diagram consist of 7 different steps,” “winds approach to coast … and pushed it upwards,” and “rain started to falls,” which contain errors in agreement, verb form, articles or sentence construction. Repeated conjunctions and punctuation problems, as in “and and” and the spaces before commas, also affect accuracy. Use a reliable present-tense pattern for each stage, for example, “The winds approach the coast and are forced upwards.” Then check subject–verb agreement, articles and verb forms in every sentence.

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