Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-24

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 natural process of the formation of rain-shadow deserts.

Overall, the formation of rain-shadow deserts consists of seven stages. Firstly, winds come from the sea towards the mountain, which affect the clouds. Subsequently, rain fall occurs. The process follows through and as a result dry winds reach inland areas, which results in the formation of rain-shadow desert.

At the beginning, winds approach coast from the sea, followed by winds puced upwards along the mountain and moist air rises and cools down. It results in forming clouds and than rain falls occurs.

Subsequently, dry air continues over the mountain and countinues downward along the leeward side of the mountain. This is followed by, dry winds reaching inland areas, which results in formation of rain-shadow deserts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process as having seven stages and describe its main direction, from winds arriving from the sea to dry winds reaching inland areas. This gives the reader a relevant overview, and most stages are included. However, the overview is not fully precise: “which affect the clouds” does not explain the key role of the mountain, and the response does not clearly state that moisture is lost as rain on the windward side, leaving dry air to create a rain-shadow desert inland. Some details, such as the leeward descent, are added but not clearly tied to the diagram’s cause-and-effect sequence. The response is also below the required 150 words. Develop the overview and explain the contrast between the wet windward side and dry leeward side more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the stages. The sequence is generally understandable, and transitions such as “At the beginning” and “Subsequently” help signal order. However, progression is weakened by repetitive linking and some awkward connections. “The process follows through and as a result” is vague, while “This is followed by, dry winds reaching inland areas” uses an unnecessary comma and makes the relationship less smooth. The overview also repeats information that is then given again in the body. Group the stages into a clearer cause-and-effect sequence, and use references such as “this moisture” or “the resulting dry air” to connect ideas without repeatedly relying on “which results in.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “leeward side,” “inland areas,” and “rain-shadow deserts,” so the topic is usually clear. There is also some attempt to vary expressions, for example “formation” and “reach.” However, the range is limited and several choices or forms are inaccurate or repetitive. “Rain fall occurs” is an awkward collocation, and “winds puced upwards” and “countinues” contain spelling errors that reduce accuracy. “The process follows through” is also not a natural way to describe a sequence. Aim for precise process verbs and standard collocations, such as “are forced upwards,” “condenses,” and “precipitation falls,” while checking spelling and avoiding repeated use of “results in.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including clauses with “which” and sequencing phrases, and the overall meaning can generally be followed. However, control is uneven, particularly in longer constructions. For example, “winds come from the sea towards the mountain, which affect the clouds” has an unclear reference for “which,” and “This is followed by, dry winds reaching inland areas” has faulty punctuation and sentence structure. Articles and number are also inconsistent in phrases such as “approach coast” and “formation of rain-shadow desert.” The response relies heavily on similar sentence patterns, so the range remains limited. Practise forming accurate passive process sentences, for example, “The winds are forced upwards, causing the moist air to cool.”

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