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 processed diagram illustrates the stages of production of specific type of rain which produced in the desert.

Overall, the process starts with how winds approach cost to dry winds reach inland areas. The conversion of moist air into cloud formation followed by dry air reach to the inland area.

Well, it can be seen that there are 7 steps involved in the formation of rain-shadow desert. Firstly, winds started from the cost of sea then it going towards the sky where it starting converted into cold air because initially, they were hot and moist air after that, cool air changed into cloud formation. After some time, rain starts drizzling on the windward side.

In the next step, it totally changed into dry air and starts over the mountain at the downward which is leeward side for reaching to ground area. Finally, dry air arrived at the inland areas where it showns the rain-shadow desert effect.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence and give an overview, noting that winds move from the coast towards inland areas and that rain falls on the windward side before dry air reaches the rain-shadow desert. These are relevant features, and the seven-stage description broadly follows the diagram. However, some stages are unclear or inaccurately explained: the diagram shows moist air rising and cooling, then clouds forming, whereas “it starting converted into cold air” does not clearly report this sequence. The account also omits the key role of the mountains in forcing the air upwards and gives little detail about the leeward side. To strengthen the response, describe each stage precisely and distinguish the wet windward side from the dry inland leeward side.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the stages. Sequencing expressions such as “Firstly,” “In the next step,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process, and the overall progression from coast to inland is apparent. However, the overview repeats the same general movement without clearly summarising the contrast between the rainy windward side and the dry leeward side. Some links are mechanical, and references such as “it” in “it totally changed into dry air” are unclear. Improve cohesion by grouping related stages more tightly and using precise references—for example, “After rain falls, the air crosses the mountain and descends on the leeward side.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “inland areas,” and “rain-shadow desert,” which shows awareness of the diagram’s terminology. There is also some variety in verbs such as “approach,” “changed,” and “arrived.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or unnatural, sometimes making the process difficult to interpret: “stages of production of specific type of rain” misidentifies the diagram, and “rain starts drizzling” is less suitable for a neutral process description. Spelling and word-form slips such as “cost” for “coast” and “showns” also reduce precision. Aim for standard process phrases such as “air rises,” “cools,” “precipitation falls,” and “dry air descends.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the use of sequencing clauses helps convey a multi-stage process. Some basic sentence meanings remain understandable, particularly “Finally, dry air arrived at the inland areas.” However, there are several grammatical errors in verb forms, articles, and sentence construction. For example, “winds started from the cost of sea then it going” shifts awkwardly between past tense and an incomplete verb phrase, while “the process starts with how winds approach” is an unnatural clause structure. The overview sentence beginning “The conversion of moist air…” is also not a complete, clearly formed statement. Use the present simple consistently for a diagram and check subject–verb agreement, articles, and complete clauses.

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