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 picture illustrates teh detailed step by step creation of rain-shadow desert.

In between the coast and inland area there are mountains, the coast is distant from the inland with a fine distance of about 1000 kilometers.

Behind the coast there is sea from where the process of rain-shadow desert creation begins. On the right of mountains there is an area of windward side and ont he very left, leeward side.

In the step by step creation of rain-shadow desert, intially winds get closer towards coast, nextly winds blown upways. In the third step there is increase in moisture and falling in temperature which obvioulsy reuslts in the creation of clouds. Furthermore rain started pouring, meanwhile arid air keeps blowing above the mountain range and eventually reaches inland area and finally results in the creation of rain-shadow desert.

Consequently, these seven crucial steps helps in the creation of a rain-shadow deserts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

You identify the process as the formation of a rain-shadow desert and include its broad sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland. However, some important details are inaccurate or unclear: the windward side is on the sea-facing side, not “on the right,” and the leeward side is on the opposite side, not “on the very left.” The stated distance of about 1,000 kilometres is not supported by the diagram, which indicates a horizontal span of thousands of kilometres. The overview is also limited: saying that seven steps create the desert does not explain the key contrast between rainfall on the windward side and dry conditions inland. Describe that contrast and the stages more precisely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure: it introduces the diagram, describes the setting, and then gives the process sequence. Connectors such as “nextly,” “Furthermore,” and “eventually” help signal order, so the reader can follow the general progression. However, the sequence is sometimes crowded into one long sentence, and “meanwhile” does not clearly show the relationship between rainfall and the air continuing over the mountains. The second paragraph also gives location details that conflict with the diagram, disrupting the flow of information. Use separate sentences for the main stages and organise them in clear groups—for example, windward-side changes followed by leeward-side effects—with accurate references to each side.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moisture,” “temperature,” “clouds,” “arid air,” and “mountain range,” and you attempt less common terms such as “rain-shadow desert.” However, several choices are inaccurate or unnatural, including “creation” repeated several times, “winds blown upways,” and “rain started pouring.” Spelling errors such as “teh,” “intially,” “obvioulsy,” and “reuslts” are noticeable and reduce precision. Some phrases also obscure the intended meaning, particularly “increase in moisture and falling in temperature.” Aim for standard process language such as “the air rises and cools,” “precipitation occurs,” and “dry air descends,” while checking spelling and avoiding repeated use of “creation.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a sequence joined with “which” and a final clause beginning “and eventually.” However, errors are frequent enough to make some sentences awkward or difficult to interpret. For example, “these seven crucial steps helps” has subject–verb disagreement, while “winds blown upways” lacks a correctly formed verb. The sentence beginning “In the step by step creation” combines several stages with unclear clause structure, and “rain started pouring” shifts tense without a clear reason. Articles and number are also inconsistent in “a rain-shadow deserts.” Use a consistent present tense for a process, check singular and plural agreement, and divide long sequences into shorter, complete sentences.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

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