Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-26

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 formation of rain shadow deserts with the help of seven stages of given figure.

Overall, the formation started from the coast line of the sea when wind approach the coast and pushed upward the mountain. After other stages the dry air continues over mountain and dry winds reach inland areas.

In the beginning of the stage the wind approach through sea to coast of the sea toward the mountain. winds pushed upward due to the mountain and air begin to moist and cools. after sometime moist air started to take form of cloud in the windward side.cloud begin become dark and after a period rain started fall.

Moreover, the rain fall dry air continues to downward the mountain on the side of leeward.in the last stages dry winds reach inland areas in rain shadow desert.In last winds travel thousand of kilometers to reach rain shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence from coastal winds being forced upwards to rain falling on the windward side and dry winds reaching the inland rain-shadow desert. The overview also identifies the process’s starting point and its final outcome, which gives the reader a useful summary. However, some stages are less fully or clearly described: for example, the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling before clouds form, but “air begin to moist and cools” does not clearly explain that sequence. The final reference to winds travelling “thousand of kilometers” reflects the scale label, but it is not a separate process stage. To strengthen the report, describe the windward and leeward contrast more precisely and make the overview focus on the key cause-and-effect pattern.

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 easy to follow, and transitions such as “In the beginning” and “In the last stages” help signal progression. However, cohesion is sometimes mechanical or unclear. “After other stages” does not specify what happens, while “Moreover” introduces a continuation rather than a contrasting or additional point. Some sentences run together, particularly around “windward side.cloud,” and the repeated use of “stage” and “last” makes the progression less smooth. Use clearer links such as “As a result” and “Once the air crosses the mountain,” and separate each sentence with accurate punctuation to make the process easier to track.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “coast,” “mountain,” “windward side,” “leeward,” and “rain-shadow desert,” so the subject is usually identifiable. There is also some attempt to describe change with verbs such as “pushed,” “continues,” and “reach.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, including “air begin to moist,” “take form of cloud,” and “rain started fall.” Repetition of “wind,” “stage,” and “reach” also limits precision. Choose standard process expressions such as “the air becomes moist,” “clouds form,” and “rain begins to fall.” More varied verbs—such as “ascend,” “cool,” and “descend”—would help explain the stages more precisely without making the description harder to understand.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple sentences and longer clauses, and the overall sequence can usually be understood. However, control of verb forms and sentence construction is inconsistent. For example, “The diagram illustrate” needs subject–verb agreement, and “wind approach” and “air begin” require appropriate verb forms. The clause “air begin to moist and cools” also combines structures inaccurately, while “rain started fall” is missing the required infinitive marker. Articles and plurals are also often omitted, as in “take form of cloud.” Sentence boundaries and capitalisation need attention: “windward side.cloud” joins two sentences incorrectly, and several sentences begin with lowercase letters. Practise accurate present-simple descriptions and check agreement, articles, and punctuation in each sentence.

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