Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-30

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 chart displays information about how a rain shadow desert is formed as moist air travels from the sea across a mountain range towards inland areas.

overall, the formation process of rain shadow desert significantly involves seven main stages. beginning with wind approach coast and end with dry winds reach inland areas. where rain shadow desert develops. the windward side of mountains receives rainfall, while leeward side of mountains remains dry.

Initially, winds blow from sea, towards the sea coast and pushed upward to encounter mountains. as the moist air rises towards windward side, it cools and formation into clouds. subsequently, rain falls on this sides of mountains as the air continue to rise.

After crossing the mountain peak, the air moves down the leeward sides. at this stage, it is dry and continues moving over the mountains towards inland side. since the air become moisture, it produces a little rainfall on this side. consequently, dry wind reach the inland areas and creating conditions suitable for the formation of the rain shadow desert. meanwhile this desert extend thousand of kilometres inland.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland, and your overview identifies the contrast between the rainy windward side and the dry leeward side. These are relevant central features. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: “since the air become moisture, it produces a little rainfall on this side” reverses the process, as the air is dry after crossing the mountain and the diagram shows no further rainfall inland. The statement that the desert “extend thousand of kilometres inland” also treats the scale label as a specific extent, which the diagram does not establish. Describe the stages precisely and avoid adding unsupported outcomes to make the account more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the process in sequence. Connectors such as “Initially,” “subsequently,” and “After crossing the mountain peak” help guide the reader through the stages. However, cohesion is sometimes faulty or mechanical. The overview breaks into fragments (“beginning with wind approach coast and end with dry winds reach inland areas. where rain shadow desert develops”), and “this sides” and “this side” do not always make the location clear. Use complete sentences, and make references explicit—for example, name the leeward side rather than relying on “this side.” This would make the progression smoother and the relationships between stages easier to follow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” “mountain peak,” and “inland areas,” which allows you to describe the diagram’s main features. There is also some variety in sequencing language. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “wind approach coast,” “formation into clouds,” and “the air become moisture.” These reduce precision, particularly when describing how the air changes after rainfall. Aim for natural process phrases and accurate word forms, such as “winds approach the coast,” “clouds form,” and “the air loses moisture.” Check spelling and plural forms as well, including “thousands” and “winds.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a time clause in “After crossing the mountain peak” and a cause-and-result construction with “consequently.” However, control is uneven, and several errors affect sentence completeness and accuracy. The overview contains fragments, while “the air continue to rise,” “the air become moisture,” and “dry wind reach” show problems with subject–verb agreement or verb forms. Capitalisation after full stops is also inconsistent. Practise forming complete sentences and checking agreement and tense in each clause: for example, “the air continues to rise” and “dry winds reach inland areas.” More accurate control of these structures would make your process description clearer.

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