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 AVAILABLE DIAGRAM ILLUSTRATES THE FORMATION OF RAIN SHADOWD-ESERT WHICH INVOLVES BASIC 7 STEPS IN ADDITION PICTURE INDICATES THE STRUCTURAL VIWE.

ACCORDING TO THE AVAILABLE SKATCH THERE IS A BAREN LAND AREA SPREAD INTO THOUSANDS OF KILOMETERS.AT LEFT DIRECTION A COASTAL LINE LOCATED ABOVE THE SEA.ON THE OTHER HAND AT AN INLAND LOCATION KNOWN AS RAIN SHADOW DESERT.AT THE CENTRAL SPOT HUJE WAVE OF MOUNTAINS LOACTED.

AT FIRST WIND FROM SEA APPROACHES TO COST LINE OF SEA WHICH GOES UPWORD AS AIR GOES UPWORD BECOMES COLD DUE TO ENRICH MOISTURE .AFTER THAT MOIST COOL AIR CONVERTED INTO CLOUDS THAT CONTAIN HIGH WATER CONTENTS FOR RAIN.AFTER RAIN AIR BECOMES DRY OVER MOUNTAINS AND MOISTURELESS AIR FELL DOWN INTO INLAND AREAS .

COASTLINE LIES INTO WINDWARDSIDE THEN REACHED AT LEEWARD SIDE FINALLY REACHES INTO INLAND .IT IS CLEARLY OBSERVED BY DIAGRAM WIND FROM SEA IS BASIC SOURCE BEHIND FORMATION OF RAIN-SHADOW DESERT.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a seven-step process and include its main cause-and-effect sequence: sea winds move towards the coast, rise over the mountains, form clouds and rain, then continue inland as dry air. You also mention the windward and leeward sides and the desert’s inland location. However, the overview is not clearly separated from the description, and some details are unclear or inaccurate: “a coastal line located above the sea” does not explain the layout, while “moistureless air fell down” is not shown as a distinct labelled stage. The description also gives limited explanation of how the mountain barrier creates the rain shadow. A clearer overview and more precise reporting of the stages and locations would make the response more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has some organisation: it begins with an introduction, describes the diagram’s layout, then follows the process before ending with a concluding statement. The sequence from approaching winds to inland dry air is generally understandable. However, progression is weakened by unclear links and abrupt shifts. For example, “On the other hand” does not express a meaningful contrast between the coast and inland desert, and the final paragraph repeats locations already mentioned rather than extending the process. Several sentences also run ideas together, making relationships difficult to follow. Use a distinct overview and organise the stages in chronological order, with linking expressions that show cause and result, such as “as a result” or “therefore,” only where appropriate.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You attempt relevant process vocabulary, including “coastal,” “moist,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” and “formation,” which helps convey the topic. However, the range is limited and frequent spelling and word-choice problems sometimes make the meaning difficult to interpret. Examples include “skatch,” “baren,” “huje,” “loacted,” and “cost line”; “enrich moisture” is also an unnatural phrase. Some expressions are imprecise, such as “high water contents for rain” and “moistureless air.” Aim for accurate, conventional terms used in process descriptions, and check spelling carefully. Replacing informal or unclear wording with precise terms such as “precipitation,” “rises,” and “dry air” would improve clarity and control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple statements and longer sentences describing stages, including “After that moist cool air converted into clouds” and “After rain air becomes dry over mountains.” However, the longer constructions are often faulty, and errors in articles, verb forms, sentence boundaries, and punctuation frequently make the relationships between ideas unclear. For instance, “At a inland location known as rain shadow desert” is not a complete sentence, while “wind from sea approaches to cost line” has an unclear grammatical pattern. Capitalising every word is also distracting, and missing spaces after full stops affect readability. Practise building accurate subject–verb sentences first, then connect them with clauses such as “As the air rises, it cools and forms clouds.”

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