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 illustrates how a rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall, the formation of this desert is a natural process. The process includes seven steps beginning with warm and moist winds are produced and ending with dry wind reach to inland areas.

The process is carried out at coastal area. First of all, warm and moist winds are produced from the ocean or sea. Subsequently, winds is pushed upward against the gravity force. Once winds are reached at top, it becomes more cool. After that, winds is converted into clouds then it cause rainfall in the windward side. Windward side has a coolest atmosphere.

However, the process is moved to leeward side now. In this side, a dry air is travelled thousand of kilometers and many mountains and it continues travel downward and reached inland areas where the atmosphere is completely dry. At the last, a dry wind makes rain-shadow desert by reaching inland.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the key stages of the rain-shadow process from the initial moist winds to the formation of the desert. However, the description is somewhat simplistic and lacks a more sophisticated synthesis of the information. While the main stages are present, the explanation of the transition between the windward and leeward sides could be more precise. The overview is functional but basic. To reach a higher band, you should focus on grouping the information more logically and providing a more detailed summary of the physical changes occurring at each stage of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. You use some cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'Subsequently', and 'However'. However, the use of these devices is sometimes mechanical or slightly unnatural, such as 'At the last' to conclude the process. Additionally, the referencing is occasionally unclear; for example, in the sentence 'Once winds are reached at top', it is not immediately clear which 'top' is being referred to without looking closely at the diagram. Improving the flow between sentences and using a wider variety of linking words would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but remains quite limited and repetitive. You rely on basic terms like 'produced', 'pushed', and 'travelled'. There are also some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'coolest atmosphere' instead of 'cooler temperatures' or 'lower temperatures'. The phrase 'gravity force' is also slightly unnatural; 'gravitational force' would be more accurate. To improve, try to incorporate more precise scientific or descriptive vocabulary related to geography and climate, such as 'moisture-laden', 'precipitate', or 'arid'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly with subject-verb agreement and article usage. For example, 'winds is pushed' should be 'winds are pushed', and 'a dry air is travelled' is grammatically incorrect. The use of passive voice is attempted, but often results in awkward phrasing. While you use some complex sentence structures, they are frequently marred by errors, which can occasionally impede the reader's understanding. Focusing on basic subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles would significantly improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

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

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