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)

Following process take place in order to form a rain-shadow desert.

Rain-shadow deserts do not form overnight. I will try to explain how some winds coming from the sea will be responsible in creating the enormous rain-shadow desert.

Firstly some strong winds arrive to the coast. Than these winds push towards windward side of the mountain in the way moist air rises and cools which eventually from the clouds and rain fall take place at the top of the mountain. In the aftermath of rainfall, air become dry and continue to move towards leeward side of mountain.

Finally these dry winds arrive to the inland areas which are located on the other side of mountain and form a rain-shadow desert. These winds from the sea travel thousands of kilometres in order to cross the huge mountain. On which all the process took place slowly and steadily.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence: winds arrive from the sea, rise over the windward side, cool and produce clouds and rain, then continue as dry air towards inland areas. This is relevant and broadly matches the diagram. However, the account is brief and some stages are compressed, so the explanation of how rainfall creates the dry conditions on the leeward side is under-developed. The claim that the winds cross a “huge mountain” is not supported by the diagram, which indicates a horizontal distance of thousands of kilometres rather than a mountain’s size. The response also falls four words short of the required minimum. To strengthen the summary, cover each stage more precisely and explain the contrast between the wet windward side and the dry inland rain-shadow area.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows the process in a generally understandable order, using “Firstly,” “Finally,” and references to the windward and leeward sides to guide the reader. The sequence from coastal winds to inland desert is easy to recognise. However, the organisation is limited to a short opening and two main blocks, and the progression is weakened by awkward or unclear links, particularly “In the aftermath of rainfall” and the final fragment beginning “On which.” “Than” also does not function correctly as a sequencing link here. Use a clear overview followed by a step-by-step account, and connect each stage with precise transitions such as “as a result” or “after crossing the mountain.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “inland areas,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. The range is nevertheless limited, and several word choices or forms are inaccurate or unnatural: “winds push towards” does not clearly describe air being forced upwards, while “form the clouds” and “rain fall take place” are awkward. “Enormous” and “huge” add emphasis without conveying a useful feature of the diagram. Aim for precise process language and natural collocations, for example “are forced upwards,” “clouds form,” and “precipitation falls.” This would make the description clearer and more appropriately formal.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex structures, including the sequence clause “in the way moist air rises and cools” and the relative clause “which are located on the other side of mountain.” However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make parts of the description awkward. Examples include “some winds coming from the sea will be responsible in creating,” “air become dry,” and the incomplete final sentence, “On which all the process took place slowly and steadily.” There are also problems with articles and agreement, such as “the mountain” and “air become.” Build accuracy first with complete sentences and consistent present-tense verbs, then add subordinate clauses only when their grammatical links are clear.

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

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