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 diagram illustrates the phenomenon of precipitation-shadow deserts, which is one type of desert.

Overall, this image shows that the sea coast is on the windward side of the mountain. In contrast, the rain inland is on the leeward side of the mountain. The distance between sea coast and inland is thousands of kilometers.

In the windward side, from the sea and coast, wind approaches the coast, then wind pushed upwards. In the third step, moist air rises upward and cools, then in the forth stage, clouds suddenly appears. After that, rain begins to fall.

In the leeward side of the mountain, dry air continues over mountain. Then air moves downward and dry winds reach inland areas.

In short, moist air is on the windward side and dry air is on the leeward side. That's the reason why precipitation was not happened on leeward side.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the windward and leeward sides and the process of rain formation. However, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum requirement, which negatively impacts the score. While the key stages are identified, the description lacks the level of detail and analytical depth expected for a Band 6 or higher. The explanation of the process is somewhat simplistic, and the conclusion is repetitive rather than synthesizing the information effectively. To improve, ensure you meet the word count and provide a more comprehensive description of the transition from moist air to dry air.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into short paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of the process. However, the use of cohesive devices is quite mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'In the windward side', 'In the third step', 'In the leeward side'). The logical flow is sometimes interrupted by awkward phrasing, such as 'In contrast, the rain inland is on the leeward side', which does not accurately reflect the diagram's depiction of the rain shadow. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that transitions between sentences are smoother would enhance the overall coherence.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'precipitation-shadow deserts' (the prompt calls them 'rain-shadow deserts') and 'precipitation was not happened' (grammatically incorrect). The range of vocabulary is limited, relying heavily on simple descriptors like 'moist air' and 'dry air'. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more precise terminology related to geographical processes, such as 'condensation', 'orographic lift', or 'arid conditions', and ensure that collocations are used correctly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. Examples include 'clouds suddenly appears' (subject-verb agreement error), 'precipitation was not happened' (incorrect tense/voice), and 'wind pushed upwards' (missing auxiliary verb). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure is often repetitive. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and the correct use of passive voice, which is essential for describing scientific or geographical processes in Academic Task 1.

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

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