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 illustrates how one kind of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.

Overall, at the beginning winds approach coast up to the sea and push upwards, while moist air rises and cools in the form of clouds. After that rain falls into the mountains, dry air continues over mountains downwards and finally dry winds reach inland areas.

First of all winds passing upper level of the sea and reached approach coast. In addition winds pushed an upwords far the side of the mountain, althrough air moist increased in this process and cools.

Moreover, after that moist air convert in the form of clouds, then clouds falls rain at the top level of the mountains. Furthermore, the water fell down at the upper level of the mountains, when water felling the air continues over mountain and dry winds reach inland areas. This whole process known as The formation of rain-shadow deserts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the process and include its broad sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. However, the account is only partly accurate and developed: the overview says winds approach “up to the sea,” and the description does not clearly explain that moist air rises on the windward side, cools, and produces rain before dry air crosses the mountain’s leeward side. Some details, such as water falling down the mountains, are not clearly shown as a separate stage. The response also contains 144 words, below the required 150; the 10 words copied from the prompt are excluded from that count. Add a little more precise explanation of the stages and their locations to complete the task more fully.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, an overview, and two paragraphs describing the process. Sequencing expressions such as “First of all,” “Moreover,” and “Furthermore” help signal order. However, progression is not consistently clear because some stages are repeated or placed in confusing relationships. For example, the overview says clouds form before rain, while the later account says “clouds falls rain,” making the sequence difficult to follow. The final sentence repeats the title rather than adding a clear concluding point. Use fewer, more precise linking expressions and organise the stages in one uninterrupted sequence, with each sentence clearly referring to the previous stage.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “clouds,” “rain,” “dry winds,” and “inland areas,” so the reader can identify the topic. However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations are inaccurate, sometimes making the process hard to understand. Phrases such as “winds passing upper level of the sea,” “moist air convert in the form of clouds,” and “clouds falls rain” do not express the intended stages naturally. There are also spelling errors, including “upwords” and “althrough.” Aim for precise process verbs and standard collocations, such as “winds are forced upwards,” “moist air cools and condenses,” and “rain falls on the windward side.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and longer sentences, and the opening sentence is a clear, accurate description of the diagram’s subject. However, the range is limited, and errors occur frequently in verb forms, sentence construction, and articles, sometimes obscuring the sequence. For example, “winds passing upper level of the sea and reached approach coast” combines incompatible verb forms and lacks a clear sentence structure. “This whole process known as” is missing the verb “is,” while “clouds falls rain” has an agreement and construction problem. Practise building accurate present-simple passive forms for processes, such as “The winds are pushed upwards,” and check that every sentence has a clear subject and finite verb.

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

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