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 given process delinates the various steps involved in the formation of shadow desert . It is evident that seven number of steps are involved in it .

To Begin with, it is noticeable that this process takes place on a mountains and between thousand of kilometers . Firstly, winds are being approach by the coast and pushed upwards . Then the moist air rises and once it rises it cools down completely at the windward side . After this process the clouds are formed and since there is lot of water in clouds it begins to rain heavily at the top of the mountains . The remaining air,now dry continues over the leeward side of the mountains and descends towards the inland region .

Finally the dry winds travel across the inland area for thousands of kilometers without bringing siginificant rainfall. consequently ,the land receives very little precipitation and gradually develops into a rain shadow desert

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 initial moist air movement to the final arid conditions. However, the description is somewhat generic and lacks precision in referencing specific geographical features shown in the diagram (e.g., the specific names of the windward and leeward sides are mentioned, but the explanation of the moisture loss could be more detailed). The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the contrast between the two sides of the mountain. Overall, the response addresses the requirements of the task adequately, though it lacks the depth of analysis required for a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, with a clear introduction and a step-by-step progression. Cohesive devices such as 'To begin with', 'Firstly', 'Then', 'After this process', and 'Finally' are used to guide the reader. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the punctuation around 'consequently' is incorrect (the word is capitalized mid-sentence). The referencing is generally clear, though the flow between sentences could be improved to sound more natural and less like a list of steps. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction from the process description.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'precipitation', 'windward', 'leeward', and 'moist air' used correctly. However, there are some inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, such as 'seven number of steps' (which is grammatically incorrect) and 'winds are being approach' (incorrect passive voice). There are also minor spelling errors like 'delinates' instead of 'delineates' and 'siginificant'. While the student attempts to use topic-specific vocabulary, the range is somewhat limited, and the errors occasionally draw attention to the language rather than the content.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'takes place on a mountains' (plural/article error), 'winds are being approach' (incorrect verb form), and 'between thousand of kilometers' (preposition/pluralization error). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the placement of commas and the capitalization of 'consequently'. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. The student demonstrates an attempt at complex structures, but control over them is inconsistent.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.