Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-25

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 describes about the steps in formation of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, A 7-step process commens with winds approached from coastal areas, happening of rains from clouds and ended with reaching of dry winds reaching the inland by travelling thousands of kilometers.

Initially, Winds travel and approach the coast. Mountain as a obstacle wind will be pushed upwards. Next the moisture contained air raise and cooled resulting the formation of clouds. Then clouds are condensed tends to formation of rain. All thye process happened at windward direction.

At Leeward side, the dry air continue to move over mountain. Finally Dry winds reach inland areas resulting formation of Rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the diagram as a process and report its main sequence: winds approach the coast, rise over the mountain, produce clouds and rain, and continue inland as dry winds. The distinction between the windward and leeward sides is also included. However, the overview is unclear and does not accurately summarise the process: “ended with reaching of dry winds reaching the inland” is repetitive, and the desert’s formation is asserted rather than explained. Some stages are imprecise, such as saying clouds “are condensed” instead of clearly stating that rain falls. The response is also 40 words below the required minimum, leaving important details underdeveloped. Add a clearer overview and explain how moisture loss on the windward side leads to dry conditions and a rain-shadow desert inland.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and a description of the windward and leeward stages. Sequencing words such as “Initially,” “Next,” “Then,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical, and the overview repeats the idea of dry winds reaching inland. The transition “At Leeward side” is abrupt, while “All thye process happened at windward direction” does not connect smoothly to the preceding stages. Referencing is also occasionally unclear, as in “Mountain as a obstacle wind will be pushed upwards.” Use more precise links between cause and result, and organise the stages into fuller, connected sentences so the progression feels less like a list.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “coast,” “moisture,” “clouds,” “windward,” “Leeward,” and “inland,” which allows the reader to recognise the main features. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “resulting the formation.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate: “commens with winds approached” is unclear, “clouds are condensed” does not naturally describe the diagram, and “Mountain as a obstacle” is awkward. Spelling errors such as “thye” and inconsistent capitalisation also reduce control. Aim for precise process language, for example “moist air rises and cools,” “rain falls,” and “dry air descends on the leeward side,” while avoiding repeated wording.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a result clause in “Next the moisture contained air raise and cooled resulting the formation of clouds.” The sequence is generally understandable, but grammatical control is inconsistent, and faulty structures sometimes make relationships difficult to follow. Examples include “A 7-step process commens with winds approached,” “Mountain as a obstacle wind will be pushed upwards,” and “the dry air continue to move.” These contain problems with sentence construction, verb forms, agreement, and articles. Capital letters are also used inconsistently after transitions, as in “Finally Dry winds.” Practise building complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and check tense and agreement—for example, “The mountain forces the wind upwards” and “The dry air continues over the mountain.”

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