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 diagram illustrate how the rain shadow is formed.

Overall, the process involve seven main stages. begining when wind approach the coast that push the wind upward and ending are dry winds reach inland areas. mountain play very essential role to rainfall in one side .

Initially, wind below to the sea upward and forces to the upward. As the moist air rise and cools transfer to the clouds and finally rainfall on the mountain.

After the rainfall air passes on the mountain and continue to the downward the leeward side .At this stage the air become dry and continue to the mountain.

Finally, the dry air come to inland area. where very little rain fall occurs.As the result very little rainfall belo

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry air reaching inland, and mention the key contrast between rainfall on the mountain and drier conditions beyond it. However, the account is incomplete and some stages are unclear: for example, “moist air rise and cools transfer to the clouds” does not clearly explain that cooling leads to cloud formation, while the final point about very little rainfall is cut off. The overview also says the mountain is important but does not clearly summarise how it creates a rain-shadow desert. The response is 27 words below the required minimum, which limits the detail available. To strengthen the report, explain the windward-to-leeward contrast and complete each stage accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction and overview are followed by stages introduced with “Initially,” “After,” and “Finally.” This gives the reader a basic sense of sequence. However, progression is weakened by unclear links between some steps and by incomplete or awkward sentences, such as “Finally, the dry air come to inland area. where very little rain fall occurs.” The overview also combines several ideas in a way that is difficult to follow. Use one clear paragraph for the overview and organise the process into a continuous sequence, with accurate links such as “as a result” or “once the air crosses the mountain.” Check that each sentence connects logically to the next.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use several relevant terms for describing the diagram, including “coast,” “moist air,” “clouds,” “rainfall,” and “leeward side.” These show awareness of the process vocabulary needed for the task. However, the range is limited, and inaccurate word choices or collocations sometimes make the meaning unclear: “wind below to the sea upward” and “forces to the upward” do not express the movement of air naturally. There are also word-form and spelling problems, such as “begining” and “rain fall.” Aim for precise process language and avoid repeating “wind” and “air” where a clearer verb can carry the meaning. For example, describe air as rising, cooling, crossing the mountain, and descending.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 4.5

You attempt both simple sentences and longer clauses, including “As the moist air rise and cools…” and “After the rainfall air passes on the mountain…,” but control is weak and errors frequently affect clarity. Subject–verb agreement is inconsistent (“The diagram illustrate,” “the process involve,” and “air become”), and several sentences have faulty or incomplete structures. For instance, “Overall, the process involve seven main stages. begining when…” leaves the second part as a fragment, while “Finally, the dry air come to inland area. where…” incorrectly separates a dependent clause. Work first on complete sentence construction, agreement, articles, and verb forms. Then practise joining stages with accurate subordinate clauses and punctuating them correctly.

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