Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-11-04

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 rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall, the diagram shows that the rain-shadow desert is formed in seven different steps.

In first step, the moist is carried by the winds from the sea toward the coastal line. The winds pushes the moist in upward direction. In third step, the moist air rises in the sky and cool down. The moist air and precipation changed into clouds in the fourth step.

After the formation of clouds at windward side rain falls at the top of the mountains. In addition, the moist air is now changed into the dry air. In six step, the dry air countinuous to downward position at leeward side of the mountains.

In the final step, the dry air with the help of winds reach to the inland area. The soil particles inthe inland area is dried with the help of winds and the land is converted into rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main sequence, from winds arriving from the sea to dry air reaching inland, and identify the windward and leeward sides. The overview that the process has seven steps is relevant, but it would be more informative if it summarised the key cause-and-effect pattern: moist air rises and rains on the windward side, leaving dry air to descend inland and create the desert. Some details are unclear or not supported by the diagram. For example, clouds form from cooling moist air; they do not form from “moist air and precipitation,” and the diagram does not show soil particles being dried. Explain the transition from rain to dry air more precisely and avoid adding outcomes not depicted.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The response follows the diagram’s sequence and is divided into an introduction, an overview and stages of the process, so the reader can generally follow the explanation. Sequencing phrases such as “In third step,” “In the fourth step” and “In the final step” help signal progression. However, the overview repeats the idea that there are seven steps rather than grouping the stages into a clear overall pattern, and some links between stages are abrupt. For instance, “In addition, the moist air is now changed into the dry air” does not clearly explain how rainfall leads to dry air. Use more precise cause-and-effect links and refer clearly to the air as it moves across the mountain.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use relevant process vocabulary, including “windward side,” “leeward side,” “coastal line,” “precipitation” and “inland area,” which helps communicate the diagram’s subject. However, several word choices and collocations are inaccurate or awkward, such as “the moist is carried,” “pushes the moist in upward direction” and “downward position.” Spelling errors in “precipation,” “countinuous” and “inthe” also reduce accuracy. Aim for precise terms that describe the process, such as “moist air,” “is forced upwards,” “cools” and “descends.” This would make the account more natural and technically clear while retaining the relevant vocabulary you already use.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more extended sentence forms, and the sequence is usually understandable. However, errors in articles, agreement, verb forms and sentence construction occur across the response. Examples include “In first step” instead of “In the first step,” “The winds pushes” instead of “The winds push,” and “the moist air rises … and cool down,” where the verbs do not agree. The final sentence also has a subject–verb mismatch: “The soil particles … is dried.” Some sentences join ideas without clear grammatical links, as in “The moist air and precipation changed into clouds.” Practise accurate present-simple descriptions of processes and check agreement and articles in each sentence.

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

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