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)
he 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.
Firstly, 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 process includes the moist air condensing and forming into clouds near the windward side. These new clouds eventually travel to the tip of the mountain and on the fifth step the rain starts falling.
The final two steps include the dry air continuing from the leeward side of the mountain and reaching the inland area consequently. The final step is when the drier wind reaches the inland area creating a rain-shadow desert.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, identifying the key elements such as the sea, mountain, and inland area. However, the description lacks precision in reporting the specific meteorological mechanisms shown in the diagram. For instance, the explanation of why air turns moist or the specific role of the 'leeward' side is somewhat simplified. While the main features are selected, the comparison between the windward and leeward sides could be more explicitly contrasted to better highlight the 'rain-shadow' effect. The overview is present but could be more analytical regarding the causal relationship between the mountain barrier and the resulting arid climate.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The response is logically organized, with a clear introduction and a sequential progression through the stages of the process. Paragraphing is used effectively to separate the introduction, the initial stages, and the final outcomes. Cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'The next process', and 'The final two steps' are used to guide the reader through the sequence. However, the flow between sentences is occasionally mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, though the connection between the 'moist air' and the 'rain-shadow' effect could be more tightly linked to improve the overall cohesion of the argument.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'natural phenomenon', 'condensing', and 'leeward side' appropriately. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on basic descriptors. Some phrasing is slightly unnatural, such as 'the whole desert creation process revolves around a mountain' or 'turning moist due to low temperature', which is scientifically imprecise. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise technical vocabulary related to geography and climate processes, such as 'precipitation', 'orographic lift', or 'arid conditions'.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are some grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'the winds blow towards the coastal area of the sea flowing towards the peak', which is a run-on construction. Additionally, 'consequently' is used in a way that does not quite fit the context of the sentence. While the errors do not impede overall communication, the control over complex structures is inconsistent. More attention to punctuation and the use of subordinating conjunctions would improve the clarity and sophistication of the writing.
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.