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 the formation of the rain shadow desert takes place involving thousands of kilometers of distance.

Overall, it involves seven stages, beginning with the winds approaching the sea and travelling upwards to ending with the dry winds reaching the inland areas .

First, the winds travel towards the sea coast and as a result are pushed upwards .Subsequently in the third stage as the wind is rising towards the peak of the mountains moisture content rises causing it too cooldown. This cooling process taking place in stage 3 results in clouds being formed . As the clouds rise further towards the windward side rain begins to fall .

At the later stages ,starting from stage 6 the dry air resultantly continues over the leeward site of the mountain until the winds reach the inland area on the other side of the mountain eventually resulting in the formation of the phenomena of the rain shadow desert .

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. However, the description is somewhat superficial. While you mention the wind moving from the sea to the inland area, the explanation of the physical processes (such as the specific role of the mountain acting as a barrier) could be more precise. You have successfully identified the overall trend, but the summary lacks a clear, concise overview of the causal relationship between the mountain's height and the resulting aridity on the leeward side. To improve, ensure you explicitly link the moisture loss on the windward side to the dry conditions on the leeward side more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is logically organized, moving chronologically through the stages shown in the diagram. You use some cohesive devices such as 'Subsequently', 'First', and 'As a result' to guide the reader. However, the paragraphing is slightly unbalanced, with the second paragraph being quite short. Additionally, some transitions feel a bit mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between the description of the windward side and the leeward side could be smoother to better highlight the contrast between the two areas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'moisture content', 'windward side', and 'leeward site'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and spelling, such as 'cooldown' (should be 'cool down' or 'cool'), 'site' instead of 'side', and 'resultantly' which is used awkwardly. There is also a minor error in 'phenomena of the rain shadow desert' (phenomenon is singular). To reach a higher band, focus on more precise collocations and ensure that technical terms are used with greater accuracy.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, which is appropriate for this task. However, there are several grammatical errors that slightly distract the reader, such as 'the formation of the rain shadow desert takes place involving thousands of kilometers of distance' (which is slightly awkward) and 'causing it too cooldown' (incorrect 'too' and verb form). Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary spaces before commas in several instances. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score.

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

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