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 illustrates the process of how a rain-shadow desert is formed.

It is clear that this process basically consists of seven different stages and with several natural phenomena, starting from approach of winds to coast to ending with passing of dry winds to inland areas.

At the first stage, winds from the sea approach to coast then it is pushed in upward direction to the way of mountains. In the third stage, moist air rises and cools in the windward side and then this cool moisterous air transform into clouds.

The form of clouds then create rainfall by a natural process which falls towards leeward side. Then the dry air continues to stay over mountain. After a period, this dry winds finally reach to inland areas. By this whole process, we can able to see a rain-shadow desert in Inland area which is thousand of kilometres away from the coast area.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a process and report its main sequence, including winds approaching the coast, rising and cooling air, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry winds moving inland. The overview also recognises the seven stages and the eventual desert. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the text says rainfall falls “towards leeward side,” whereas the diagram places rain over the windward side and mountain peak. The final reference to the desert being “thousand of kilometres away” also overstates the label, which indicates a horizontal scale of thousands of kilometres rather than a precise distance from the coast. To strengthen the summary, describe the windward-to-leeward contrast accurately and clarify that the dry air crosses the mountain before reaching the inland desert.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows the process in a generally logical order, and paragraphing separates the introduction and overview from the stage-by-stage account. Sequencing phrases such as “At the first stage,” “In the third stage,” and “Then” help the reader follow the stages. However, progression is sometimes mechanical, and links between events are not always clear. For example, “The form of clouds then create rainfall” does not clearly explain that rain falls on the windward side before the air crosses the mountain. The overview sentence also combines the number of stages with the starting and ending points in a slightly awkward way. Use clearer transitions to show cause and sequence, and group related stages into a more smoothly connected description.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use a relevant range of process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “windward side,” “clouds,” “rainfall,” and “inland areas,” which makes the topic clear. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “natural phenomena.” Some choices, however, are inaccurate or unnatural: “moisterous” is not the appropriate form here, “stay over mountain” does not express the air’s movement across it, and “passing of dry winds” is an awkward description of the final stage. “The form of clouds” is also less natural than “clouds form.” Aim for precise collocations and use the diagram’s labels consistently; this will make the description more fluent without requiring unnecessarily complex vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a relative clause in “which falls towards leeward side” and a sequence linked with “then.” The overall meaning is usually understandable, but some grammatical errors remain. In “winds from the sea approach to coast then it is pushed,” the subject changes from plural winds to singular “it,” and the sentence needs clearer punctuation or a conjunction. Other examples include “this cool moisterous air transform” and “these dry winds,” where agreement and number are not controlled consistently. Articles and prepositions are also missing in phrases such as “to coast” and “over mountain.” Check subject–verb agreement, singular and plural forms, and articles when revising each sentence.

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