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 shows the process of Rain-shadow desert formation. Which invloved in various steps.

Overall, It can be seen that, there are 7 steps. Starting from winds approch coast from sea to and ending with Dry winds reach inland areas, which formed Rain-shadow desert. It is worth notice that, there is a significant distance in between Coast area to formation of Rain-shadow desert, is around Thousands of kilometres.

In the first four stages, winds approach coast from the sea, which pushed updards direction towards the mountains, where the experienced and moist the air rises and cools it down. Once the clouds form, those clouds converted into Rain falls at the top of the mountains.

Following these steps, In the six and seventh phase, the Dry air continues over mountain which directed down side of the mountain, then it directed towards the Leeward side, which finally reach to inland moutain areas, where the Rain-shadow is formed finally.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a process and give a broad overview of its seven stages, including the movement from the sea towards inland areas and the long distance involved. You also mention the key sequence of rising air, cloud formation and rainfall. However, some important details are unclear or inaccurate: the rain falls on the windward side, while the desert forms inland beyond the leeward side; it is not formed by the dry winds themselves. The description also does not clearly explain that moist air cools as it rises over the mountains, causing precipitation, after which dry air descends and continues inland. A more precise account of this cause-and-effect relationship would make the main features more fully addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, with an introduction, an overview and paragraphs describing earlier and later stages. Sequencing phrases such as “In the first four stages” and “Following these steps” help the reader follow the process. However, progression is weakened by unclear links and references. For example, “those clouds converted into Rain falls” does not clearly connect cloud formation to precipitation, and the final sentence repeats “which” while the subject of “it” is uncertain. The overview also combines the endpoint and distance in a way that is difficult to follow. Use shorter, clearly linked sentences and refer explicitly to the air, rainfall and desert at each stage.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use several relevant process terms, including “moist air,” “clouds,” “dry air,” “mountains” and “Leeward side,” so the reader can recognise the topic. There are also attempts to describe movement and sequence. However, vocabulary is limited and several word choices or forms make the process difficult to understand: “experienced and moist the air,” “converted into Rain falls,” and “inland moutain areas” are not natural or precise descriptions. Spelling errors such as “invloved,” “approch” and “updards” are noticeable, and capitalisation is inconsistent. Aim for accurate process collocations such as “air rises,” “moisture condenses,” “rain falls” and “dry air descends,” and check spelling and consistent use of labels.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences with clauses, for example, “Once the clouds form…” and “Following these steps…”. However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors occur frequently enough to make some relationships unclear. In “winds approach coast from the sea, which pushed updards direction,” the tense shifts and the clause does not attach clearly to its subject. “Those clouds converted into Rain falls” lacks a suitable verb construction, while “which finally reach” has an unclear subject and agreement problem. Sentence boundaries and punctuation also need attention, as in the opening fragment, “Which invloved in various steps.” Build accuracy with complete sentences and consistent present-tense verbs, such as “The air rises, cools and forms clouds, before rain falls on the windward side.”

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