Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-01

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 creation process of unique desert familiar as a rain-shadow desert is presented in given visual diagram.

The whole process of formation of rain-shodow deserts consists of a total 7 steps. The process inlcudes natural things such as winds, mountains, air, clouds and rain. It shows that mountains are important factor to complete this whole process to create rain-shadow desert.

Firstly, winds head towards the coast. Afterwards, winds pushed upwards because of the mountains. Following this, moist air rises upward and then it cools down. Subsequently, moist air convert into clouds form. At this stage, rain falls towards windward side. Then in the sixth stage, Dry air continues over mountain to leeward side. In the final stage, dry winds reach to inland areas. Eventually, this process form rain-shadow desert. In this whole process, air travels from sea, then it meet to the coast. Afterwards it covers thousands of kilometres of mountains.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the diagram as a seven-stage process and report its main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland and forming a rain-shadow desert. You also correctly mention the mountains’ role and distinguish the windward and leeward sides. However, some stages are not described precisely: “moist air convert into clouds form” obscures that clouds form after the air rises and cools, and the account does not clearly explain that rain falls on the windward side, leaving dry air to cross the mountain. The final comment about air travelling “thousands of kilometres of mountains” misreads the scale arrow, which indicates horizontal distance rather than travel over mountains. A clearer overview of the moisture loss and resulting dry inland conditions would make the key features more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable structure: an introduction, a brief overview, and a chronological account of the stages. Sequencing expressions such as “Firstly,” “Afterwards,” “Following this,” and “In the final stage” help the reader follow the process. However, the repeated transitions make the account somewhat mechanical, and some links between stages are unclear. For example, “Subsequently, moist air convert into clouds form” does not clearly connect cooling with cloud formation. The final two sentences also repeat the movement of air without adding a well-integrated concluding point. Grouping the stages into a few connected sentences and using clearer cause-and-effect links would improve progression and cohesion.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “moist air,” and “dry winds,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. There is also some variation in verbs such as “head,” “rises,” and “continues.” However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, including “desert familiar as,” “winds pushed upwards,” and “covers thousands of kilometres of mountains.” Spelling errors such as “rain-shodow” and “inlcudes” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise, natural process language and check spelling carefully. For instance, describe winds as being forced upwards by the mountains, and say that dry air travels across the mountain range towards inland areas.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of simple sentences and longer sentences with sequencing clauses, and the overall meaning is generally understandable. However, errors in verb forms, agreement, and sentence construction occur in several places. In “winds pushed upwards,” the passive construction needs an auxiliary (“are pushed”); “moist air convert” needs subject–verb agreement and a suitable verb form; and “this process form” should use a singular verb form. The opening phrase, “desert familiar as a rain-shadow desert,” also lacks a grammatical construction such as “known as.” Some sentences are joined in a way that makes their relationships unclear. Practise accurate passive forms for processes and check agreement and articles when revising.

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