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 illustrates the formation process how one type of dessert after passing lot of nature procedure become rain shadow forest

Overall, it can be clearly seen that the formation of rain shadow deserts consists of various stages. beginning with the Winds approach coast and ending with dry wind reach inland areas. The most noticeable thousands of kilometers distance between coast and rain shadow dessert.

According to the given diagram firstly winds coming from the sea and air push this winds to upward of mountain. due to this reason most winds rise and cool. after that this winds convert into clouds shapes and this clouds cause for a rainfall.

in the remaining stages dry air continues over mountain and wind blowing to the downward area of mountain. After that process finally dry winds reach into inland areas. in this process one dessert mountain become a rain shadow dessert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland, and mention the key rain-producing stages: rising, cooling, cloud formation and rainfall. However, the account is only partly accurate and developed. The diagram shows a rain-shadow desert, not a forest, and the final sentence incorrectly suggests that a mountain becomes a desert. The overview also calls the distance between the coast and desert the most noticeable feature, although the central process is the movement of moist air over the mountains and the resulting dry conditions inland. The response is 148 words, below the required 150. Add a little more accurate detail about the windward and leeward sides and explain how the dry air creates the rain-shadow area.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the stages. It also uses sequence markers such as “firstly,” “after that,” and “finally,” which help the reader follow the process. However, progression is weakened by awkward or unclear links, including “due to this reason” and “in the remaining stages,” and the final sentence does not clearly connect to the preceding explanation. Repeated references to “this winds” also make the flow less smooth. Organise the stages in a clear, continuous sequence and use precise references such as “the moist air” and “the resulting dry air.” A separate, concise overview focused on the main cause-and-effect pattern would improve the organisation.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “coast,” “mountain,” “clouds,” “rainfall,” and “inland areas,” so the topic is generally recognisable. However, the range is limited and several inaccurate word choices interfere with meaning. “Dessert” is repeatedly used instead of “desert,” while “forest” contradicts the diagram. Phrases such as “various stages,” “clouds shapes,” and “downward area” are imprecise or unnatural for describing this process. Aim for accurate geographical terms and natural collocations, such as “rain-shadow desert,” “windward slope,” “leeward side,” and “precipitation.” Checking spelling carefully is especially important because the dessert/desert error changes the meaning of a key term.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a cause-and-effect construction with “due to this reason” and a sequence introduced by “after that.” However, grammatical errors are frequent and sometimes make relationships between stages difficult to understand. Examples include the incomplete opening phrase “The diagram illustrates the formation process how…,” “winds coming from the sea and air push this winds,” and “this winds rise and cool.” These show problems with sentence construction, verb forms, agreement, and articles or demonstratives. Several sentences also lack consistent capitalisation and punctuation. Practise writing complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, for example: “Moist air rises over the mountains and cools, forming clouds.” Then check agreement and singular/plural forms.

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