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 of rain-shadow deserts from the moist air and clouds.

Overall, the process includes the four crucial stages that is moist air, windward side, leeward side and the inland area. With all of this steps, the procedure complete seemlessly.

At the initial stage, the winds approach towards the mountain from the sea. As the winds pushed upwards through the coast. Moreover, the moist air increases and the wind seems cool moving into the sky to form clouds through windward side. While, the clouds fill with sea water, the rain falls on the mountain top.

Furthermore, In the leeward side, now dry air, lost most of its moisture and the air continuous over the mountain. However, dry winds mix with the sand and dust while reach towards the inland areas. Likewise, all the particles fall on the ground and create rain-shadow desert in the leeward region.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main stages of the process, but it fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the score. While the overview identifies the key stages, the description of the process is somewhat superficial. For example, the explanation of how the air cools and loses moisture is slightly unclear, and the link between the 'inland area' and the formation of the desert could be more explicitly connected to the diagram's visual data. To improve, ensure all parts of the process are described with sufficient detail and meet the length requirement to allow for a full development of the task.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical or inaccurate. For instance, 'With all of this steps' is grammatically incorrect and awkward as a transition. The use of 'Moreover' and 'Likewise' does not always logically connect the ideas presented. While there is an overall attempt at a logical flow, the lack of precise linking words and some awkward phrasing makes the progression feel disjointed at times. Improving the variety and accuracy of cohesive devices will help the ideas flow more naturally.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally adequate to describe the process, but it lacks the precision and range expected for a higher band. There are several instances of awkward word choice, such as 'procedure complete seemlessly' (should be 'is completed seamlessly') and 'winds pushed upwards' (should be 'winds are pushed upwards'). The student relies on basic terminology and struggles with collocations related to meteorological processes. To improve, focus on using more specific academic vocabulary, such as 'prevailing winds,' 'precipitation,' 'condensation,' or 'arid conditions,' rather than relying on general terms like 'sea water' or 'sand and dust.'

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'the winds approach towards the mountain' (unnecessary preposition), 'As the winds pushed upwards' (fragmented sentence structure), and 'the air continuous over' (incorrect word form). Subject-verb agreement and tense consistency are also problematic throughout the text. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on sentence construction and proofreading for basic errors would be highly beneficial.

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

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