Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-10

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 the formation process of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, seven steps were involved in the development of a rain-shadow desert where the whole process begins over the sea and ended at desert, moreover mountains also involved in the whole process.

Initially, winds formation start from sea than travel towards the mountains where winds pushed upward with full force, however, the air becomes moist and cool when reached near the peek of the mountain and this area named as Windward side, just a little above from this area, cloud formation starts which result in heavy rain on the sea side of the mountain.

By contrast, rain fall on the one side of the mountain created dry air which moved toward the other side of the mountain in the downward direction and reached to the Leeward side than it continuously travel and reached the inland areas after travelling thousands of kilometers. Due to excessive dry winds in inland areas, it forms the rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation process. You have identified the key stages, such as the movement of moist air from the sea, the orographic lift, cloud formation, and the subsequent dry air descent on the leeward side. However, the overview is slightly simplistic and could be more analytical. While you mention seven steps, the description is somewhat repetitive in its phrasing. To improve, ensure you clearly distinguish between the windward and leeward sides with more precise terminology and focus on the causal relationship between the mountain barrier and the resulting arid conditions inland.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the process. You use some cohesive devices like 'Initially', 'By contrast', and 'Due to', which provide a basic structure. However, the flow is occasionally hindered by awkward phrasing and mechanical transitions, such as 'than it continuously travel'. The use of referencing is sometimes unclear, and the connection between sentences could be smoother. To reach a higher band, work on using a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each sentence logically follows the previous one without relying on repetitive structures.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing you to describe the process clearly. You use relevant terms like 'windward', 'leeward', 'moist', and 'arid'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'winds formation start' instead of 'wind formation starts' and 'peek' instead of 'peak'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic verbs. To improve, try to incorporate more precise scientific or descriptive vocabulary related to meteorological processes to demonstrate a higher level of lexical control.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'winds formation start'), incorrect verb tenses, and punctuation errors. For instance, 'winds pushed upward' should be 'winds are pushed upward' to maintain the passive voice appropriate for a process description. Additionally, there are several run-on sentences and comma splices. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring consistent tense usage, and refining your control over complex structures like relative clauses and passive voice.

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.