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 formation of rain-shadow deserts starts from coastal wind of sea, when it rise up goes through cloud form, rain falls and then ends up with dry air after mountain peak height. This entire process of rain formation till converting it into dry sand it very scientifically explained.

The left side of the mountain has a sea with moist air, rain and clouds, on the other hand the right of the mountain is inland with dry air. Initially wind begins with sea towards the coast side in upward direction, as soon as it goes upward it becomes moist air, as long as it reaches to top of the mountain it's converted into cloud form and starts raining in 5th step.

The air starts drying up when wind flows from top to bottom of the mountain on the right side. When the dry wind reaches the inland area it creates the Rain-Shadow Deserts. There are thousands of kilometers between the sea and inland but without understanding this process anyone may assume that it's a miracle but infact this is the science.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main contrast between the moist, rainy windward side and the dry inland area, and you describe the broad sequence from coastal winds to desert formation. However, some key stages are misreported or unclear: the air is already moist as it approaches from the sea, then rises and cools; it does not become moist only after moving upward. The account also does not clearly explain that clouds form before rain falls, or that dry air crosses the mountain and reaches inland areas. The overview is weakened by the inaccurate phrase “converting it into dry sand,” since the diagram shows dry winds creating a rain-shadow desert, not rain turning into sand. Focus on accurately summarising the stages and their cause-and-effect relationship.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic three-paragraph structure and generally follows the process from the coast, over the mountain, and towards the inland desert. This gives the reader a broad sense of progression. However, the sequence is not consistently clear: “goes through cloud form, rain falls” compresses several stages, while “as long as it reaches to top” makes the timing and relationship between events difficult to follow. Linking phrases such as “on the other hand” and “as soon as” are used, but some do not express the relationship accurately. The final sentence about people assuming the process is a miracle interrupts the report’s progression. Use one paragraph for an overview and then describe the stages in order with precise links such as “as a result” and “after crossing the mountain.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant topic vocabulary, including “coast,” “moist air,” “mountain peak,” “inland,” and “Rain-Shadow Deserts,” so the process is recognisable. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, sometimes making the meaning unclear. For example, “coastal wind of sea” is not a natural description, “goes through cloud form” does not clearly describe cloud formation, and “dry sand” misrepresents the diagram’s outcome. “Rain formation” is also less precise than describing the formation of a rain-shadow desert. Aim for accurate process vocabulary and natural combinations, such as “moist air rises,” “cools and condenses,” and “dry winds reach the inland area.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, including clauses beginning “when,” “as soon as,” and “when the dry wind reaches.” However, complex sentences are often faulty, and errors in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction sometimes make the process difficult to follow. Examples include “when it rise up,” “it very scientifically explained,” and “as long as it reaches to top.” The opening sentence also joins several stages without a clear grammatical structure. Work on subject–verb agreement (“it rises”), complete clauses (“the process is explained”), and article use (“the top of the mountain”). Shorter, accurate sentences would help you express the sequence before you attempt more complex structures.

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