Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-27

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 presented diagram illustatres the several step of the how rain shadow deserts formation. Evidently, this process not only follow complex, lenghtly steps but also work in systemic way.

To begin with, when the winds approach coast from the sea area that winds are pused upwards towards the mountains. following next step mosit air has been rises and cools by the winds and windward side has been starting the formation of the clouds. After then rain falls on the mountains.

on The other side of the mountain leeward side the dry air continues came and this dry air reach to the inland areas where desert made. the inalnd areas had know as rain shadow desert.

Overall, the process of this has been spread in thousands of kilometers and made large inland desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence: winds arrive from the sea, rise over the mountains, cool, produce clouds and rain, then continue inland as dry air. This is relevant and broadly matches the diagram. However, several stages are compressed or unclear, especially the transition from rainfall to dry air on the leeward side, and the overview does not clearly explain how this creates a rain-shadow desert. The statement that the process “has been spread in thousands of kilometers” misinterprets the scale label, which indicates the horizontal distance shown rather than the process spreading. The response is also below the required 150 words. Add a clearer overview and explain the windward/leeward contrast and the final desert formation.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a basic overall sequence, moving from winds approaching the coast to rain over the mountains and dry air reaching inland. The paragraph breaks also help distinguish the stages from the concluding statement. However, progression is sometimes difficult to follow because links are awkward or unclear, as in “following next step” and “After then.” The final “Overall” sentence introduces the scale but does not effectively summarise the process, so it feels disconnected from the preceding explanation. Use clear stage links such as “As a result,” and “On the leeward side,” and organise the response into a concise overview followed by a step-by-step account. This would make the relationships between stages easier to understand.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” “clouds,” and “rain shadow desert,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. However, the range is limited and several spelling and word-choice errors reduce precision, including “illustatres,” “lenghtly,” “pused,” and “inalnd.” Some phrases are also unnatural, such as “desert made” and “spread in thousands of kilometers.” Choose standard process language and check spelling carefully; for example, describe the air as “continues inland” and the desert as “forms.” More precise vocabulary would help distinguish the moist, rising air from the dry air descending on the opposite side.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a sequence linked with “when” and a contrast introduced by “on the other side.” However, control of sentence structure and verb forms is inconsistent, and errors sometimes make the process hard to follow. Examples include “the several step of the how,” “moist air has been rises and cools,” and “the dry air continues came.” Articles, agreement, and sentence boundaries also need attention, as in “the clouds” and the lower-case start of “on The other side.” Use straightforward present-tense forms for a process: “moist air rises and cools,” followed by “clouds form” and “rain falls.” Accurate simple sentences should come before adding more complex structures.

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