Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 diagrammatic process represents the various steps of the formation of rain-shadow deserts.

The process begins with the winds approach to the sea coast. Once the winds have been reached, it is pushed upwards for the creation of moist in cool temperature. Following this, moist air rises to the windward side then it is cooled down. At the next stage, this process undergoes further step, it is created clouds form.

After the formation of clouds, it is rained. Subsequently, dry air continues over mountain on the leeward side, it is opposite is the opposite direction of windward side. Ultimately, winds are reached to the inland areas. Finally, the formation of rain-shadow deserts is created. The process involved a thousands of kilometres. The process has been continued for the formation of desert.

Overall, the process consists of several stages , beginning with wind approach to the coast and ending with the formation of rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but the description is somewhat superficial. While you identify the windward and leeward sides, the explanation of the physical mechanisms (such as the cooling of air leading to precipitation) is slightly unclear. The summary of the process is accurate, but it lacks the level of detail required for a higher band, as some parts are under-developed. To improve, ensure you clearly link the cause and effect of each stage, such as explaining that the air loses its moisture as it rises, which is why it becomes dry on the leeward side.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or repetitive. For example, phrases like 'Following this', 'At the next stage', and 'Subsequently' are used, but the internal flow within sentences is sometimes awkward, such as 'this process undergoes further step, it is created clouds form'. The referencing is occasionally unclear, making the progression of ideas feel slightly disjointed. Improving the variety and accuracy of linking words will help the text flow more naturally.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks precision. You use basic phrasing such as 'it is rained' and 'the formation... is created', which are not natural collocations. There is a limited range of vocabulary related to the topic; for instance, using 'moist' as a noun ('creation of moist') is incorrect. To reach a higher band, you should focus on using more precise scientific or descriptive terminology, such as 'precipitation', 'condensation', or 'prevailing winds', and ensure that words are used in their correct grammatical form.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the response, particularly with passive voice construction and verb tense usage. Examples include 'winds have been reached', 'it is rained', and 'winds are reached to the inland areas'. These errors occasionally impede the clarity of the message. While you attempt some complex sentence structures, they are often faulty, such as 'dry air continues over mountain on the leeward side, it is opposite is the opposite direction'. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles would significantly improve the accuracy of your writing.

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

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