Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-03

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 provided layout illustrates the how type of desert called a rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall, it is crystal clear that there are exactly seven steps which commencing form wind approach coast and culminating with dry winds reach inland areas, while it also contains sea, coast and inland which is thousands of kilometers away from inland.

At a fleeting glance, in first and foremost step is winds reach to coast from sea which pushed upwards in later step. Prior to clouds formation the moist air rises and cools on windward side. In following step, clouds become dark colour and finally rain falls.

Moving ahead, in next step, dark clouds falls rain on mountains while the dry air continues over the mountain to leeward side. The dry air follow a downward position and get decreases before reaching inland areas. In ultimate step, dry winds reach rain-shadow desert areas which is away from sea and coast.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, from the initial moisture-laden winds to the final arid conditions. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a sophisticated overview of the geographical relationship between the sea, mountains, and the desert. While the main features are identified, the explanation of the process is occasionally imprecise, such as the phrase 'get decreases' when describing air temperature or pressure. To improve, focus on providing a more analytical summary that highlights the causal links between the elevation of the air and the resulting precipitation patterns, rather than simply listing steps.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is often repetitive and sometimes unnatural, such as 'At a fleeting glance' and 'Moving ahead'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly in the second paragraph where the connection between the 'sea' and the 'inland' is somewhat confusingly phrased. The progression of ideas is logical, but the transitions between sentences feel mechanical rather than fluid. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that pronouns clearly refer to their antecedents would significantly enhance the flow of the writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. There are several instances of awkward word choices and unidiomatic phrasing, such as 'commencing form wind approach coast' and 'dark clouds falls rain'. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on basic descriptors like 'dark colour' or 'downward position'. To achieve a higher score, you should incorporate more precise geographical and meteorological terminology, such as 'moisture-laden', 'orographic lift', 'leeward', and 'arid', while ensuring that collocations are used accurately to convey the process clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the reader's understanding. Examples include 'illustrates the how type of desert', 'winds reach to coast', and 'dry air follow a downward position'. Subject-verb agreement and article usage are inconsistent throughout the text. While the meaning is generally conveyed, the high frequency of errors in basic sentence construction prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on proofreading for subject-verb agreement and ensuring correct verb tenses will help improve the overall accuracy of your writing.

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