Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-10-31

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 ilustrate how the whole desert has formed which is known as a rain-shadow desert. Along with that it shows clearly every features precisely.

Overall there are around seven stages has given. To forming the rain-desert it started the formation from the sea-level.

It started it's formation from the sea level with started winding approaching coast and after approaching towards coast ,the wind has pushed upwards in the second stage. Besides, before the rain falls started it finished another two steps where moist air is rising and the environment keep the environment cools. Afterwards, the cloud has formed and finally the rain started falling. So from the step one to 5 till rain falls all the features are happening in windward side.

On the other hand, from in the Leeward side the air started to dry over the mountain and in the final stage the dry einds has reached to inland areas . Finally, the rain-shadow desert has formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to rain falling on the windward side and dry air reaching inland beyond the mountains. The overview also identifies the seven stages and the contrast between the two sides. However, some process details are unclear or inaccurate: “the environment keep the environment cools” does not clearly explain that moist air rises and cools, and “the air started to dry over the mountain” is less precise than saying dry air continues over the mountain. The description also says the desert “has formed” without clearly linking its formation to the dry winds reaching inland. Clarifying these stages and their cause-and-effect relationship would make the account more complete and precise.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, a summary of the windward stages, and a final paragraph about the leeward side. The sequence is generally easy to follow, and phrases such as “afterwards” and “in the final stage” help signal progression. However, some linking is mechanical or awkward, particularly “Besides, before the rain falls started” and “On the other hand, from in the Leeward side.” Repetition of “started” and “formation” also interrupts the flow, while the overview is mixed into the stage-by-stage account rather than clearly separated. Use simpler, more accurate transitions and organise the overview before the detailed sequence.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “Leeward side,” “moist air,” and “inland areas,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There are also attempts at more specific wording, such as “pushed upwards.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or repetitive: “the whole desert has formed,” “started winding approaching coast,” and “the environment keep the environment cools” make parts of the process difficult to interpret. Spelling errors such as “ilustrate” and “einds” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise process verbs and natural collocations—for example, “winds approach the coast,” “air rises and cools,” and “rain falls”—and avoid repeating “started” where a direct verb is clearer.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the sequence is sometimes expressed through subordinate clauses, as in “before the rain falls started it finished another two steps.” However, that sentence and several others show problems with verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction. Examples include “there are around seven stages has given,” “the environment keep the environment cools,” and “the dry einds has reached.” These errors make some relationships between stages unclear. There are also inconsistent tense choices and punctuation spacing, such as the comma in “coast ,the wind.” Practise forming clear present-simple process sentences, with a subject and correctly matched verb in each clause, before combining them with connectors such as “when” or “as.”

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