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 illustration depicts the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the whole desert creation process revolves around a mountain that separates the sea and the inland area by thousands of kilometres. This natural phenomenon starts with the winds approaching the coastal area and passing through several stages and eventually changing to dry winds.

Foremost, the winds blow towards the coastal area of the sea flowing towards the peak of the mountain while turning moist due to low temperature. The next steps include the moist air condensing and forming into clouds near the windward side. Then these new clouds eventually travel to the tip of the mountain and on the summit the rain starts falling.

Moreover, the dry air continues from the leeward side of the mountain and reaches the inland area. Finally, when the drier wind that did not turn into clouds reaches the inland area, it creates a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the key stages of the rain-shadow effect from the sea to the inland area. However, the description lacks precision in some areas. For instance, the claim that winds turn moist 'due to low temperature' is scientifically inaccurate in the context of the diagram, which shows moisture being picked up from the sea. Additionally, the explanation of the process is somewhat simplistic. To reach a higher band, you should focus on more precise terminology and ensure that the relationship between the wind, the mountain, and the resulting precipitation is described with greater technical accuracy.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized, moving chronologically through the stages of the process. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, the main process, and the conclusion. Cohesive devices such as 'Foremost', 'The next steps', 'Moreover', and 'Finally' are used to guide the reader. However, some of these transitions feel slightly mechanical or forced. The progression of ideas is clear, but the connection between the 'dry air' and the 'rain-shadow' could be more fluidly integrated to improve the overall flow of the text.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'phenomenon', 'condensing', 'windward', and 'leeward'. These are appropriate for a process description. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'tip of the mountain' (summit is better) and 'turning moist' (becoming saturated or moisture-laden is more precise). The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the sophistication and precision required for higher bands. Expanding your repertoire of process-related verbs and adjectives would be beneficial.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the grammar is generally clear, there are some awkward phrasings, such as 'the whole desert creation process revolves around a mountain that separates the sea and the inland area by thousands of kilometres'. There are also minor issues with article usage and prepositional phrasing. Most sentences are understandable, and errors do not impede communication, but the range of complex structures is somewhat limited. Focusing on more varied sentence starters and subordinating conjunctions would help improve the grammatical variety.

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

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