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 demonstrates the formation of rain-shadow desert in seven different changes that occur in the air.

On thousands of kilometres land around mountains, the rain-shadow formation starts from one side of the mountains. by the sea coast where the winds start to approach the coast and winds then pushed upwards where the moist air rises and cools. As the wind continue to go upwards further along with windward side of the mountain, the winds form clouds and the rain falls.

After the rain fall, dry air continues over the mountain going downwards and crossing the leeward side of the mountain in the final episode the dry winds reach inland areas and form rain-shadow desert on the other side the mountains.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence accurately: coastal winds rise over the mountains, moisture cools and produces clouds and rain on the windward side, and dry air then travels inland to create the desert on the leeward side. This covers the central process, but the response is brief and does not provide a clear overall summary of the key contrast between the wet windward slope and dry inland area. Some stages are also compressed, so the relationship between cooling, cloud formation and rainfall is not fully explained. The response contains 121 words, below the required 150, which limits the detail available. To strengthen the report, add a concise overview and explain the stages and locations more fully without introducing unsupported information.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The process is presented in a broadly logical order, and the two paragraphs move from the approaching winds to the inland desert. Sequencing expressions such as “then,” “As,” and “After” help the reader follow the stages. However, the second paragraph begins with an unclear phrase, “On thousands of kilometres land around mountains,” and the final sentence joins several stages without clear punctuation. The paragraphing is also limited, with no distinct overview separating the main pattern from the detailed sequence. Use a clear opening overview, then organise the stages into a separate paragraph and punctuate each step so that the links between events are easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “dry air,” and “inland areas,” which allows the reader to understand the diagram. There is some useful variation in describing movement, such as “approach,” “pushed upwards,” and “continues over.” However, several phrases are imprecise or awkward, including “seven different changes,” “rain-shadow formation,” and “final episode.” Repetition of “winds” and “mountain” also limits the range. Choose more precise process terms and natural collocations, and avoid calling the stages “episodes.” This would make the description more fluent and exact while retaining the relevant vocabulary already present.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and complex sentences, for example, “After the rain fall, dry air continues over the mountain…” and the clause beginning “where the moist air rises and cools.” However, control is uneven, and errors sometimes make the relationships between stages difficult to follow. Examples include the missing capital in “by the sea coast,” “the wind continue,” and the run-on final sentence beginning “After the rain fall.” The opening phrase “On thousands of kilometres land” also lacks a clear grammatical structure. Practise subject–verb agreement, sentence boundaries, and complete sentence construction. Breaking the long final sentence into two or three sentences would improve accuracy and clarity.

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