Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-05

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 explains the process of how rain-shadow deserts formation incures.

Overall, this process includes seven main stages where it starts from the sea and ends inland. Wind is considered to be the primary source of resource for this formation

Initially the winds which has approached the cost has been pushed upward towards the windward side of the mountain which leads to rise in the moist air , this air cools down and forms several little clouds which creates a heavy rain falls. This rain fall drops down to the peak of the mountain generate the dry air flow due to its heat on the top of the mountain head.

From the leeward side of the mountain the dry air continues to flow downwards where the dry wind reaches the inland areas. once this continued flow end the place is known to be the rain-shadow desert. This process takes place in a mountain with a width of thousands of kilometers.

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 sea to the inland area. However, the description of the process is somewhat inaccurate in its scientific explanation (e.g., claiming rain falls on the peak and generates dry air due to heat). While the main features are identified, the explanation lacks the precision required for a higher band. The overview is present but could be more clearly integrated. The response addresses the prompt, but the development of the stages is slightly confused, which impacts the clarity of the information provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organised into three paragraphs, which is a reasonable structure for a short report. However, the logical progression is hindered by awkward phrasing and some mechanical use of cohesive devices. For instance, the transition between the windward and leeward sides is abrupt. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the phrase 'once this continued flow end'. While the overall arrangement is coherent enough to follow, the lack of sophisticated linking words and the somewhat disjointed flow of ideas limit the score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but shows limited range and some inaccuracies. Phrases like 'primary source of resource' are redundant, and 'rain falls' is used incorrectly as a noun phrase. There are also issues with word choice, such as 'incures' (likely meant 'occurs') and 'cost' (meant 'coast'). While the student attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary like 'windward' and 'leeward', the overall control is inconsistent, and the errors occasionally draw attention to themselves.

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 affect readability. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('winds which has approached', 'this rain fall drops'), incorrect verb forms ('formation incures'), and punctuation errors. While the meaning is generally clear, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the response from reaching a higher band. The student should focus on proofreading for singular/plural agreement and verb tense consistency.

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

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