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 information about the formation of rain-shadow deserts is presented by the diagram.

Overall, this is a linear process, this natural process consists of 7 stages and every stage is connected with each other, which begins with wind approach coast and ends on dry winds.

It can be clearly seen that in the initial stage wind approach coast by crossing sea then winds pushed upwards by the windwatrd side of mountains. When in third stage air moves upwards, it moisturized air and air become cool. Due to this, in the following stage cooled air forms clouds.

Moving towards the remaining details when clouds become massive, the rain fall occures on windward side of the mountains . In the sixth stage dry air countinues over leewards side of mountains. In the last stage, after travelling thousands of kilometers dry winds reach inland area .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a seven-stage process and describe its broad direction, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. You also include the key sequence of rising air, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry air crossing the mountains. However, some details are unclear or inaccurate: the air does not become moist at the third stage; it is already moist as it rises and cools. The overview also says the process ends “on dry winds,” rather than clearly stating that dry winds reach inland and create a rain-shadow desert. The response is 143 words, below the required 150, and several stages are only briefly described. Add a clearer outcome and explain the windward/leeward contrast.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the stages. The sequence is generally easy to follow, and phrases such as “In the initial stage,” “in the following stage,” and “In the sixth stage” help signal progression. However, some linking is mechanical or awkward, particularly “Moving towards the remaining details,” and the overview sentence joins several ideas without clear punctuation: “Overall, this is a linear process, this natural process consists of 7 stages…” References such as “Due to this” are not fully precise, and the final paragraph would be clearer if each stage were connected explicitly to the next. Use simpler transitions and clearer sentence boundaries to improve flow.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “clouds,” “rainfall,” “dry air,” and “inland,” which helps communicate the diagram’s main features. There is also some attempt to vary wording with phrases such as “initial stage” and “remaining details.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural: “wind approach coast,” “it moisturized air,” “clouds become massive,” and “ends on dry winds.” Spelling errors such as “windwatrd,” “occures,” and “countinues” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process language, for example, “moist air rises and cools,” “rain falls,” and “dry winds continue inland.” This would make the description clearer and more appropriate to an academic report.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt both simple and more complex structures, including “When in third stage air moves upwards…” and “after travelling thousands of kilometers…” The stages are mostly understandable, but some sentence patterns are faulty. For example, “Overall, this is a linear process, this natural process consists of 7 stages” is a comma splice, while “which begins with wind approach coast” has an unclear clause structure. Articles and verb forms are also inconsistent: write “the wind approaches the coast,” “the air becomes cool,” and “the rain falls.” The sentence beginning “When clouds become massive” does not express the diagram’s sequence accurately or grammatically. Use complete, clearly linked clauses and check subject–verb agreement, articles, and tense throughout.

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

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