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 illustrates how one type of deserts, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.

Overall, the process consists of seven stages. The formation of rain-shadow deserts started with water approach from coast or sea and ended with dry winds reach inland areas.

Firstly, winds approach to coast for collecting water. Secondly, winds pushed upwards along the mountain's windward side. Thirdly, moist air rises and cools as it moved windward side. This causes the moisture to condense leading to the formation of heavy clouds. Then, clouds are formed. After that, clouds collect water and rain falls.

Furthermore, the distance from coast to rain-shadow desert is thousands of kilometres. Followed that, dry air over mountain is continued and moved to leeward side. Finally, dry winds reach inland areas. As these air masses reaches the inland they lack the property of moisture. Hence, creating a permanent rain-shadow desert characterized by extremely dry conditions.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, from the initial moisture collection to the final formation of the desert. However, the description is somewhat mechanical, listing steps rather than synthesizing the information into a cohesive process. While the key features are identified, the explanation of the 'rain-shadow' effect could be more precise; for instance, the link between the mountain barrier and the lack of moisture on the leeward side is mentioned but lacks depth. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the contrast between the windward and leeward sides of the mountain.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response uses a range of cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Furthermore', and 'Finally' to sequence the information. However, the use of these devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical. Paragraphing is present, but the transition between the description of the process and the final summary of the desert's characteristics is abrupt. The referencing is generally clear, though the flow between sentences occasionally feels disjointed due to the reliance on simple transition words rather than more sophisticated linking structures.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'moisture', 'condense', 'leeward', and 'windward'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'water approach from coast' instead of 'moisture originates from the sea' and 'dry air over mountain is continued' which is awkward. The range is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the precision and flexibility required for a higher band. Some phrasing, such as 'lack the property of moisture', is unnatural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses and subject-verb agreement, such as 'one type of deserts' (should be 'desert'), 'winds approach to coast' (should be 'winds approach the coast'), and 'As these air masses reaches' (should be 'reach'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Punctuation is generally functional, but the control over complex sentence construction is inconsistent.

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

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