Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-12

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 how a rain-shadow desert is formed through a series of natural processes.

Overall, the process begins when moist air from the sea moves towards a mountain. The air rises up the mountain and produces rain, while the opposite side receives very little rainfall and becomes a desert.

First, warm and moist air moves from the sea towards the mountain. As the air rises, it becomes cooler and clouds form. When the clouds reach a higher altitud.

Next, the air passes over the mountain and moves down the side. During this process, the air becomes warmer and drier. It then continues towards the lower land. there is very little moisture left in the air, almost no rain falls on this side of the mountain. , a dry area called a rain-shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response provides a clear overview of the process, identifying the main stages of the rain-shadow effect. However, the response is significantly under the 150-word minimum requirement, which limits the depth of the description. While the key features are mentioned, the lack of sufficient length means the process is not fully developed or detailed. To improve, you should expand on the specific atmospheric conditions at each stage, such as the temperature changes or the specific impact on the landscape, to ensure the response meets the length requirement and provides a more comprehensive summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into paragraphs, and there is a logical progression from the initial movement of air to the final formation of the desert. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical, and there are issues with sentence structure that disrupt the flow. For example, the sentence starting with 'there is very little moisture' lacks a proper conjunction or transition to connect it to the previous clause. Improving the use of linking words and ensuring that sentences are clearly connected will help improve the overall coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for describing a natural process, with terms like 'moist air', 'altitude', and 'rain-shadow desert'. However, the range is somewhat limited and repetitive. There are also minor errors, such as the incomplete word 'altitud'. To reach a higher band, you should aim to incorporate more precise scientific terminology and ensure that your spelling is accurate. Using a wider variety of verbs and adjectives to describe the movement and transformation of the air would also enhance your lexical score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are several grammatical errors and punctuation issues that affect clarity. For instance, the sentence 'When the clouds reach a higher altitud.' is a fragment, and the punctuation in the final paragraph is inconsistent, with a stray comma and a missing capital letter after a period. While the meaning is generally clear, these frequent errors indicate a need for more careful proofreading and a better grasp of sentence boundaries and punctuation rules.

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.