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 illustrate the processof formation of rain shadow desert.

Overall,there are total seven steps in the formation of rain shadow desrt from approaching the winds to coast to the step in which dry winds reach inland areas.

To begin with the first step,winds reach the coast above the sea and the second step involves the upward movement of winds following the rise of moist air and then become cool.

The fourth step is that the water vapours combine together and form dense visual scene and form the cloud.And,then in fifth step rain falls at the top slope of the mountain.However,dry air contineous to move across over the mountain at the Leeward side of the mountain.

However,at the last stage, in the formation of the rain shadow deserts, the dry winds reach the inland areas by crossing throughout the whole mountain which consist of several thousands of kilometres.

To end with,the whole process results in the formation of rain shadow deserts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as a sequence and include several central stages: winds approach the coast, moist air rises and cools, rain falls on the mountain, and dry air continues inland. The overview also recognises that the process ends with dry winds reaching inland areas. However, some details are incomplete or unclear: the description does not clearly explain that the mountains force the moist air upwards, and “water vapours combine together” is not shown in the diagram. The final claim that the mountain consists of “several thousands of kilometres” misreads the scale arrow, which indicates the horizontal distance covered. To improve, report the stages precisely and explain how rainfall on the windward side leaves dry air to descend towards the leeward side and create the desert.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows the general order of the diagram, and the opening overview helps orient the reader before the stage-by-stage account. Sequencing phrases such as “To begin with,” “the fourth step,” and “at the last stage” make the intended progression visible. However, the paragraphing is limited, and connections between stages are sometimes awkward or unclear. For example, the sentence beginning “To begin with the first step” combines the first three stages without clearly separating them, while “However” is used where a contrast is not needed. The repeated ending phrases, “To end with” and “To end with, the whole process,” also make the conclusion feel repetitive. Group the stages into clear paragraphs and use concise, accurate links between cause and result.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “dry winds,” “coast,” “mountain,” and “inland areas,” so the topic is generally recognisable. There are also attempts at more descriptive wording, such as “upward movement” and “formation.” However, the range is limited and several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, which sometimes makes the process difficult to picture. “Dense visual scene” does not describe cloud formation, and “crossing throughout the whole mountain” is not an appropriate description of air moving over it. Spelling errors such as “desrt” and “contineous” further reduce clarity. Aim for precise process terms and natural collocations, for example “clouds form,” “rain falls on the windward slope,” and “dry air descends on the leeward side.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentences, including a sequence joined with “following” and a final clause beginning “which.” However, control is inconsistent, and errors occur in basic sentence forms as well as in longer constructions. The opening “The diagram illustrate” has subject–verb disagreement, while “there are total seven steps” is missing an article. In “the upward movement of winds following the rise of moist air and then become cool,” the subject and verb relationship is unclear. Several sentences also run together or use punctuation awkwardly, particularly the sentence beginning “The fourth step is that…” and the transition to “And, then.” Use a clear subject and verb for each stage, check agreement and articles, and divide complex descriptions into manageable sentences.

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