Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-16

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 how a rain-shadow desert is formed through a process. From the diagram we can see there are 7 steps mentioned in the diagram.

It all begins with the wind which comes through the coast. Moreover, that wind pushes itself to go upward to the top of the mountain. The wind carries moist with them and when they move upward to the top of the mountain, it gets cooler. When the wind get cooler it turns and form themselves as a cloud. After a while the clouds goes on the top of the mountain and starts rain from those clouds which were formed earlier through the process. Dry air from the top of the mountain continues to go down over the mountain as a part of the desert formation process. The last step of the process is that when the dry wind reaches the ground. After becomes a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, identifying the movement of wind, moisture, and the resulting dry air. However, the description is somewhat simplistic and lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band. While it identifies the steps, it fails to clearly contrast the 'windward' side (moist) with the 'leeward' side (dry), which is the core feature of the diagram. The explanation of the process is a bit repetitive, and the final sentence is grammatically incomplete, which hinders the clarity of the summary. To improve, focus on synthesizing the information into a more cohesive narrative that highlights the contrast between the two sides of the mountain.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into a single paragraph, which makes it difficult to follow the progression of the process. While there is a basic attempt at sequencing using words like 'Moreover', 'After a while', and 'The last step', the flow is mechanical and lacks sophisticated cohesive devices. The referencing is sometimes unclear, such as in the final sentence where 'After becomes a rain-shadow desert' lacks a clear subject. To improve, use paragraphing to separate the initial stages (moist air rising) from the final stages (dry air descending) and use a wider variety of linking words to connect ideas more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying heavily on basic terms like 'wind', 'mountain', and 'process'. There are noticeable errors in word choice and collocation, such as 'carries moist' (should be 'moisture') and 'starts rain' (should be 'starts to rain'). The range of vocabulary is insufficient to describe the scientific nature of the diagram accurately. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more precise, topic-specific terminology such as 'precipitation', 'condensation', 'leeward side', 'windward side', and 'arid conditions' to demonstrate a broader lexical range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response relies primarily on simple sentence structures. There are frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('wind get cooler', 'clouds goes') and awkward phrasing ('pushes itself to go upward'). The final sentence is a fragment, lacking a proper subject and verb structure. While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of errors in basic grammar limits the score. To improve, focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and practice combining simple sentences into complex ones using relative clauses or subordinating conjunctions to improve the variety and accuracy of your writing.

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

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