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 schematic diagram illustrates the processes a natural phenomenon underwent to form a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, it is discovered that the sea wind travels several thousands of kilometers from the sea coastal region in other to reach inland areas before the desert was formed.

This however can be seen critically from the first approach of the wind coming from the coastal area of the sea and travels up the mountain-top where it pushed through the windward slide bypassing some atmospheric changes like being moistened to form a cloud and finally a rain, after the rain, dry air travels over the mountain down towards inland areas as it pushes through the leeward slide and there you have the rain-shadow desert.

From this illustration, one can notice that the rain droughts happens right before the mountain-top and thereby falling back to the sea, this depicts why it's rare for rain to fall in the desert, hence the reason we have dry lands there.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response provides a basic overview of the process, but it fails to clearly highlight the key stages of the rain-shadow effect. The description of the process is somewhat confused; for instance, the claim that 'rain droughts happens right before the mountain-top' is inaccurate and does not reflect the scientific process shown in the diagram. The response lacks a clear, logical progression of the stages (moist air rising, condensation, precipitation, and the dry leeward descent). While the main features are mentioned, the explanation is not sufficiently developed or accurate, leading to a lack of clarity regarding the actual formation process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or misused. Phrases like 'This however can be seen critically' and 'there you have the rain-shadow desert' are informal and do not effectively link the stages of the process. The progression of ideas is somewhat disjointed, particularly in the third paragraph, where the explanation of the windward and leeward sides becomes convoluted. Better use of transition signals (e.g., 'subsequently', 'consequently', 'as a result') would improve the flow and logical connection between the steps.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally limited and occasionally imprecise. Phrases like 'natural phenomenon underwent' and 'first approach of the wind' are awkward and do not accurately describe a geographical process. There is a reliance on basic vocabulary, and some terms are used incorrectly, such as 'rain droughts' to describe the lack of precipitation. To reach a higher band, you should use more precise, subject-specific terminology such as 'moisture-laden air', 'condensation', 'precipitation', and 'leeward slope'. The current range is adequate for basic communication but lacks the precision required for a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Issues include incorrect verb tenses (e.g., 'the processes a natural phenomenon underwent'), awkward phrasing, and punctuation errors. For example, the sentence starting with 'This however can be seen...' is a run-on sentence that lacks proper structure. While the meaning is generally understandable, the frequency of errors in basic grammar and sentence construction prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on sentence boundaries and subject-verb agreement would be beneficial.

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

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