Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-15

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 illistrates the 7 stages that explain how the rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall, the diagram explains that there are two different sides of mountains, at on side there is the Sea which is called Windward side and on another side there is a desert and this side is called Leeward side. Moreover, at windward side moist air blows. On the other hand, the dry air passes in Leeward side.

In the start, the wind blows through the Sea and then slowly pushes upwards. As far as the wind rises, it becomes cool and full of humidity. After that the cold and moist wind transforms into clouds. Then the rain falls on the top of the mountains.

At the Leeward side, the dry air flows downward over the mountain. At the end the dry winds finally reach inland areas, which is a desert. Due to that dry air, the desert transforms into rain-shadow desert. That is how the Rain-shadow deserts are formed naturally.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the windward and leeward sides and the process of moisture loss. However, the description is somewhat simplistic and lacks a more analytical approach to the stages. For instance, the transition from moist air to rain is described in a very basic manner. While all parts of the task are addressed, the development of the information is limited, and the explanation of the 'rain-shadow' effect could be more precise. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the contrast between the two sides of the mountain more clearly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized into an introduction, an overview, and two body paragraphs detailing the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Moreover', 'On the other hand', and 'In the start' are used, though some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive. The paragraphing is appropriate for a process description. However, the flow between sentences could be improved to create a more cohesive narrative. For example, the connection between the wind rising and the formation of clouds is clear, but the transition to the leeward side could be smoother to better reflect the cause-and-effect nature of the diagram.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, using terms like 'moist air', 'humidity', and 'inland areas'. There are some minor spelling errors, such as 'illistrates' instead of 'illustrates'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise scientific or descriptive terminology related to geographical processes, such as 'precipitation', 'condensation', or 'arid conditions', rather than repeating simple phrases like 'dry air' or 'cold and moist wind'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies, such as 'at on side there is the Sea' (should be 'on one side') and 'As far as the wind rises' (should be 'As the wind rises'). There are also issues with article usage and preposition choice, such as 'in Leeward side' instead of 'on the leeward side'. These errors are frequent but do not significantly impede communication. A greater variety of complex structures and more careful proofreading would improve the score.

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

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