Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-14

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 given diagram illustrates the information about the formation of rain shadow deserts.

Overall, the formation of rain shadow deserts begins with winds approach coast, while ends with dry winds reach inland areas to form rain shadow desert. There is very long process of the formation of rain shadow deserts.

Firstly, the winds approach coast by flowing from upward of the sea. Secondly, winds pushed upwards to the hill. Then, the moist air rises and becomes cool toward windward slide. Following this, the clouds are formed. Next, the rain fall happens. After, the dry air continue flowing over the mountains towards leeward side. Finally, dry winds reach inland areas. There is difference of thousands of kilometers between sea and inland. The process starts from the sea and ends at the inland. The mountain is barrier between sea and the inland. And the rainfall happens at the top of the mountains.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, from the initial approach of winds to the formation of the rain-shadow desert. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the relationship between the mountain barrier and the precipitation patterns. While the main features are identified, the explanation of the process is quite simplistic and lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band. The mention of 'thousands of kilometers' is not supported by the provided diagram, which is a minor inaccuracy in reporting the data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay uses a basic linear structure with transition words like 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Then', and 'Finally'. While this makes the sequence of events clear, the use of these cohesive devices is repetitive and mechanical. Paragraphing is present, but the second paragraph is quite dense and would benefit from being split to better group the stages of the process. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the phrase 'winds approach coast', which lacks necessary articles.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'winds approach coast', 'rain fall happens', and 'dry winds reach inland' demonstrate a limited range. There is little attempt to use more precise scientific or descriptive terminology related to meteorology or geography. Errors in word choice, such as 'upward of the sea' instead of 'from the sea' or 'windward slide' instead of 'windward side', occasionally hinder the natural flow of the description.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, particularly with article usage ('the' is often missing, e.g., 'approach coast', 'towards leeward side') and prepositional phrases. While the meaning is generally understandable, the lack of complex sentence structures and the persistent errors in basic grammar limit the score. The sentence 'There is very long process' is grammatically incorrect, and the overall control of syntax is weak.

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

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