Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-09

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 process diagram illustrates seven type of desert process, knows as rain-shadow desert produced in the inland.

Overall, it is clear that the process consists of seven main stages and the coast is underneath next to sea level, beginning with winds approach coast and ending with dry winds reach inland areas.

Initially, the winds approach coast are started from the sea. Next, they are continued up in the mountains. After that, the winds are pushed upwards at the high pressure. Following this, the moist air and rises cools are converted into clouds form besides windward side. Five step, the rain falls are high rained through the mountains.

In the next stage, the dry air is continued over the mountain near leeward side under the mountains. Then, the dry winds is reached to the inland areas. Finally, thousands of kilometres are long duration time processed and completed rain-shadow desert in the inland.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the task by describing the formation of a rain-shadow desert. However, the summary is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview of the process. While the main stages are identified, the description of the process is occasionally confusing, such as the mention of 'seven type of desert process' which is not supported by the diagram. The explanation of the scientific mechanism (moist air cooling, condensation, and the rain-shadow effect) is underdeveloped and lacks the precision required for a higher band. The conclusion is also slightly inaccurate in its description of the process duration.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Next', 'After that', and 'Finally' are used to signal the progression of the process. However, the use of these devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical. Furthermore, the referencing is occasionally unclear, and the logical flow between sentences is sometimes interrupted by grammatical errors, which makes the progression feel disjointed in places. Paragraphing is present but the internal structure of the paragraphs could be more cohesive.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher levels. There are several instances of awkward phrasing, such as 'high rained' and 'long duration time processed', which hinder clarity. The student relies on basic terminology and struggles with collocations related to geographical processes. While the meaning is generally conveyed, the lack of sophisticated vocabulary and the presence of word-choice errors limit the score. More precise terms like 'precipitation', 'condensation', and 'leeward/windward' would have improved the response significantly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('winds approach coast are started', 'dry winds is reached') and incorrect word order ('moist air and rises cools are converted'). Punctuation is generally functional, but the high frequency of errors in basic grammar structures, such as articles and verb tenses, frequently distracts the reader. While the meaning is usually clear, the control over complex structures is weak, and the errors are persistent.

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

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