Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-04

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 shows the rain shadow desert its an one type of desert.

Overall, it show how the rain-shadow deserts form. As on one side its greenery or on the other side there is dens desert like land.

The mountain is spread in thousand of kilometers area. On side there is sea coast and other side it's an inland which is a rain shadow desert.

So from the coastal side all the winds approach and pushed upwards because of sea coastal area, so after that the mist which rises it now cools and the clouds start forming and once it reach the tip of mountain the rain falls.

As all the dry air it continues over the mountain and from leeward side it start coming towards land and reach the inland areas where it settle and starting converting that into dry sandy land. This effect called rain shadow desert as from the moist air to dry air which convert the other side of mountain as a desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response identifies the main features of the rain-shadow effect, such as the role of the mountain, the sea, and the transition from moist to dry air. However, the description is somewhat simplistic and lacks the precision required for a higher band. For instance, the explanation of the process is slightly disjointed, and the terminology used is informal (e.g., 'dens desert like land'). While the main features are covered, the development of the process could be more analytical and structured to better reflect the scientific nature of the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. Phrases like 'So from the coastal side' and 'As all the dry air it continues' create a somewhat choppy flow. Referencing is occasionally unclear, and the transition between the mountain's windward and leeward sides could be managed more smoothly with better linking words to show cause and effect.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive. The student relies on basic descriptors such as 'greenery', 'dry sandy land', and 'dens desert'. There is an attempt to use some topic-specific vocabulary like 'leeward', but it is not integrated into a sophisticated sentence structure. Errors in word choice, such as 'dens' instead of 'dense' and 'its an one type', indicate a need for a wider range of vocabulary and better control over word forms to express ideas with more precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The writing contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'it show', 'winds approach and pushed'), article usage ('an one type', 'the mountain is spread in thousand of kilometers'), and sentence structure (e.g., 'This effect called rain shadow desert'). While the student attempts complex sentences, they are often faulty. A greater focus on basic sentence construction and proofreading for articles and verb tenses is necessary to improve accuracy.

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

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