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 the production of warm and moist winds and ending with dry wind reaching to inland areas.

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

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

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, from the initial moisture-laden winds to the formation of the rain-shadow desert. However, the description is somewhat simplistic and lacks the precision required for a higher band. For instance, the mention of 'seven steps' is not clearly reflected in the structure of the essay, and the explanation of the meteorological process is slightly inaccurate (e.g., the windward side is not necessarily the 'coolest' atmosphere). While the main features are identified, the comparison between the windward and leeward sides could be more analytical and detailed to better highlight the contrast in precipitation levels.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is logically organized into an introduction, a body paragraph for the windward side, and a body paragraph for the leeward side. Cohesive devices such as 'First of all', 'Subsequently', and 'However' are used to guide the reader through the process. However, some transitions feel mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally awkward, such as 'In this side' instead of 'On this side'. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the two distinct stages of the process, which helps the overall flow, but the progression of ideas within the paragraphs could be smoother.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. There are some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'winds produce from the ocean' (should be 'originate') and 'winds is converted into clouds' (should be 'condense'). The use of 'coolest atmosphere' is also imprecise. To improve, you should aim for more specific scientific terminology related to weather processes, such as 'moisture-laden', 'condensation', 'precipitation', and 'arid'. The range is sufficient to convey the basic meaning but does not demonstrate a high level of flexibility.

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 distract the reader. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('winds is converted', 'they becomes more cool') and incorrect verb forms ('Once winds are reached', 'winds produce'). Additionally, there are errors with articles and prepositions, such as 'at top' instead of 'at the top' and 'at the last' instead of 'finally'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the essay from reaching a higher band score.

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

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