Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-13

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 below illustrates how one rain shadow desert, is formed.

Overview, the wind coming from the sea is then converted into clouds, and the rain falls when it reaches to the desert and form a rain shadow desert.

The wind coming from the sea reaches the coast then the wind pushed upward through the mountain as going upward it become moist air and also become cold. This wind then converted into clouds in windward side and on the top of mountain the clouds started rain. Then these clouds become the dry wind and remain over the mountain. The dry air continue over the mountain at the end the winds from thhe mountain coming downward through leeward side and after completed thousands of kilometres distance it reaches toward inland area where the desert starts. That dry wind reaches through the desert and convert the dessert into rain shadow dessert. This is the complete process of formation of rain shadow dessert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response identifies the main stages of the process, such as the wind moving from the sea, the ascent over the mountain, and the resulting dry conditions on the leeward side. However, the description is somewhat simplistic and lacks the technical precision required for a high-level academic summary. For instance, the explanation of how clouds form and the transition from moist to dry air is repetitive and lacks clarity regarding the scientific mechanism. While the main features are covered, the response would benefit from a more structured approach that clearly distinguishes between the windward and leeward sides of the mountain to better highlight the contrast.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into three short paragraphs, which is a reasonable structure. However, the progression of ideas is somewhat mechanical. The use of cohesive devices is limited and repetitive, with phrases like 'The wind coming from...' and 'Then these clouds...' used frequently to start sentences. This makes the flow feel somewhat disjointed. Additionally, the overview paragraph is poorly integrated and lacks a clear transition into the body of the text. Improving the use of linking words such as 'consequently', 'subsequently', or 'in contrast' would significantly enhance the logical flow between the stages of the process.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic. There is frequent repetition of words like 'wind', 'mountain', and 'desert'. Some word choices are imprecise, such as 'converted into clouds' or 'started rain', which do not accurately reflect the meteorological processes shown in the diagram. There are also spelling errors, such as 'thhe' and 'dessert' (which refers to a sweet dish, not a dry landscape). To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to geography and climate, such as 'precipitation', 'moisture-laden', 'leeward', and 'arid'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. While there are some attempts at complex sentences, they are often marred by grammatical errors, such as 'the wind pushed upward through the mountain as going upward it become moist air'. Subject-verb agreement is inconsistent (e.g., 'it become', 'clouds started rain'), and there are issues with article usage and prepositional phrasing. Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly in the opening paragraph. To improve, focus on mastering the use of relative clauses and passive voice, which are essential for describing scientific processes, while ensuring subject-verb agreement is maintained throughout.

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

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