Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-03

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 the process through which rain-shadow deserts are formed.

The process starts when winds approach coast and ends when dry winds reach inland areas. There are briefly seven crucial stages towards the formation of rain-shadow desrt.

The initial step starts from the sea coast when winds are on the coast then are rise through the mountain. Next the moist air further rises towards the sky on the direction of of wind. Due to moist air the clouds are formed at the the level of mountain. Therefore due to significnt amount of water rise up to sky the rainfall happened above the mountains on high altitude.

After the rainfall the moist air trun into the dry air which go downward over the mountain through the leeward side. Finally, the dry wind containing the segment allover fro mountain each the bottom where the mountain ends in inland aresa where the rain shadow desert is formed. The process contine until the winds stop approaching the coast.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You identify the diagram as a process and cover its main sequence, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland and a rain-shadow desert forming. The account also includes the key stages of air rising, cloud formation and rainfall on the mountain’s windward side. However, some details are unclear or imprecise: “winds are on the coast then are rise through the mountain” does not clearly explain that the mountains force the air upwards, and the transition from moist to dry air is only briefly described. The overview mainly repeats the start and end points rather than summarising the central cause-and-effect pattern. A clearer overview and more precise explanation of how rainfall leaves dry air to continue over the leeward side would make the report more complete.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response has a recognisable overall progression: an opening, a description of the early stages, and a final paragraph covering the air’s movement inland. Sequencing expressions such as “The initial step,” “Next,” “Therefore,” and “Finally” help the reader follow the process. However, some links are mechanical or do not express the relationship clearly. For example, “Therefore due to significant amount of water rise up to sky” makes the cause of rainfall difficult to follow, while “After the rainfall” provides a useful transition but the following sentence is awkwardly connected. Paragraphing is sensible, though the stages could be grouped more clearly into ascent and rainfall, followed by descent and desert formation. Use concise links that show cause and sequence accurately.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “moist air,” “clouds,” “rainfall,” “leeward side,” and “rain shadow desert,” which helps communicate the topic. There are also attempts at more specific language, such as “high altitude.” However, spelling errors and inaccurate word choices reduce precision: “desrt,” “significnt,” “trun,” and “contine” are noticeable, while “the segment” does not convey what the dry wind carries or how it changes. Phrases such as “the direction of of wind” and “allover fro mountain” are also unclear or unnatural. Aim for accurate collocations and use the diagram’s labels consistently—for example, “windward side,” “leeward side,” and “inland areas.” Proofreading would help your relevant vocabulary work more effectively.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more complex sentences, including a sequence of clauses linked with “when,” “then,” and “which.” The overall meaning is usually recoverable, but errors in sentence construction and verb forms sometimes make the process difficult to follow. Examples include “winds approach coast,” “then are rise,” and “the rainfall happened,” where articles, verb forms, or tense choices are not controlled. The sentence beginning “After the rainfall the moist air trun into the dry air which go downward” also has problems with agreement and clause structure. Some sentences are long and joined without clear punctuation, as in the final paragraph. Practise accurate present-simple passive forms for processes, such as “the air is forced upwards” and “rain falls,” and check articles and subject–verb agreement.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.