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 schematic diagram elucidates the multi-tiered natural process hapend to form rain-shadow desert from the sea to the inland ( deserts ) distinct phases .

Overall , the trajectory spans from winds which approach coast before undergoing a series of stages that culminate in reaching inland areas by the dry winds after passing long distance

Initially , when the winds approach coast , the moist air rises and cools after winds have been pushed upwards of corse . Subsequentely , the clouds would be formed and that lead to tha rain fall in the peak of the mountain . All this hapend on the same side which called the windward side .

The dry air continues over mountain acrossing the leeward side and passing thousands of kilometres .

after a while , the dry winds might reach inland areas ( deserts ) and finally form the rain shadow desert

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify the main sequence from coastal winds to inland dry winds, and you correctly mention rising moist air, cloud formation, rainfall on the windward side, and dry air crossing the mountain. However, the stages are not always reported in the diagram’s order: the winds are pushed upwards before the moist air rises and cools, but your first paragraph combines these steps unclearly. The overview also describes the journey generally rather than clearly stating the key contrast: moisture and rain are concentrated on the windward side, while dry air creates a rain-shadow desert inland on the leeward side. The response is one word below the 150-word minimum. Develop the stages and their relationship more fully to address the task more completely.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall structure: an introduction, an overview, and paragraphs describing the process. Sequencing expressions such as “Initially,” “Subsequently,” and “after a while” help the reader follow the stages. However, progression is sometimes weakened by unclear links between steps. For example, “the moist air rises and cools after winds have been pushed upwards” reverses the order in which the diagram presents the stages, and “All this happened on the same side” has an unclear reference. The final stage is separated onto a new line, which disrupts the paragraph flow. Use one continuous process paragraph and clearer references, while keeping the stages in the diagram’s order.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant process vocabulary, including “trajectory,” “culminate,” “windward side,” “leeward side,” and “rain-shadow desert.” These terms show an attempt to describe the diagram precisely. However, several spelling and word-choice errors reduce accuracy, including “hapend,” “Subsequentely,” “tha,” and “acrossing.” Some phrases are also unnatural or imprecise, such as “the clouds would be formed” and “passing long distance.” The repeated use of “winds,” “dry,” and “side” limits the range. Aim for accurate process collocations and vary your wording where possible; for example, describe air as “moving across the mountain” and rainfall as “occurring on the windward slope.”

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex structures, including the overview clause “that culminate in reaching inland areas” and the sequence “when the winds approach coast.” However, complex sentences are often not controlled accurately, and errors occur frequently enough to make some relationships unclear. Examples include “rain-shadow desert” without an article, “when the winds approach coast,” and “that lead to tha rain fall,” where article use, agreement, and sentence construction need attention. The phrase “All this happened on the same side which called the windward side” also lacks a correctly formed relative clause. Practise building accurate sentences with clear subjects and verbs, and check articles and punctuation before finishing.

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