Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-28

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 process diagram illustrates the steps to form a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, there are seven steps starting winds approaching coast, and finished dry winds reaching inland areas. Some important steps include winds pushed upwards, clouds formed, rain falls and so on.

Firstly, winds approach coast side. Afterwards, it pushed in upwards direction. At that moment moist air rises, and consecuently air become cool. After that clouds forms. Soon after, rain falls in windward side. Subsequently, dry air coninues to flow over mountain in leeward side. Then, dry winds reach in inland areas. There are a distance of thousands of kilometres winds travel to form a rain-shadow deserts. Where rain falls only in the windward side. For that reason a desert is formed in leeward side. Moist air travel in windward side and cause precipitation in windard side. As a result, there are only dry air continue to move in leeward side, and form a desert in leeward side.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a process and give its broad sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland. You also mention the key contrast between rainfall on the windward side and desert conditions on the leeward side, so the response is relevant. However, the overview is limited: “Some important steps include…” mainly repeats stages rather than summarising how the process creates a rain-shadow desert. Several details are repeated, especially that rain falls on the windward side and dry air forms a desert on the leeward side, while the role of the mountain in forcing moist air upward could be explained more clearly. Develop a concise overview of the cause-and-effect pattern, then describe each stage accurately without repeating the same outcome.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response follows the diagram’s general order, and sequencing expressions such as “Firstly,” “Afterwards,” “After that,” and “Subsequently” help the reader track the stages. However, progression becomes less clear near the end: after the sequence reaches inland areas, the response returns to the distance travelled and repeats the explanation of rainfall and desert formation. The final sentences largely restate earlier information rather than adding a new stage. Some links are also awkward or unclear, such as “For that reason a desert is formed” and “Where rain falls only…,” which is left as a fragment. Group the stages into a clear beginning-to-end account, use cause-and-effect links selectively, and avoid repeating the same point.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “precipitation,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which helps convey the diagram’s subject. However, the range is limited and several phrases are imprecise or unnatural, such as “winds approach coast side,” “pushed in upwards direction,” and “reach in inland areas.” There are also noticeable spelling errors, including “consecuently,” “coninues,” and “windard,” which reduce accuracy. Repetition of “side,” “air,” and “desert” also makes the description less flexible. Practise accurate collocations for movement and weather processes, and proofread spelling; for example, describe winds as being forced up a mountain and air as continuing inland.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The response attempts both simple and linked sentences, and the overall meaning is usually recoverable. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, particularly in verb forms, agreement, articles, and sentence construction. Examples include “it pushed in upwards direction,” “air become cool,” and “clouds forms”; these need forms such as “it is pushed upwards,” “the air becomes cool,” and “clouds form.” The sentence beginning “Where rain falls only…” is a fragment, while “there are only dry air continue to move” combines structures incorrectly. Most sentences rely on basic sequencing patterns, and attempts to link causes and results are often faulty. Build accurate simple sentences first, then practise joining them with clear clauses such as “As the air rises, it cools and forms clouds.”

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

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