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 diagram illustrates how the rain-shadow desert is formed.
Overall, the formation of rain-shadow desert involves several stages. Starting from the windward side of the mountain, moist air from the ocean rose towards the peak of mountain resulting heavy rain fall at the peak and ending at leeward side of mountain creating the rain-shadow desert.
The process mainly consists of 7 steps. The moist air from the sea approaches the land and pushed upwards. This moist air rises and become cooler, due to this it transformed into clouds and precipitates. These clouds when peaked at mountain resulted in heavy rain fall. Moving the other side of the mountain which is leeward side, it experienced dry air. As the air went downward it becomes hotter and dryer. These dry winds reached inland areas and making this rain-shadow desert.
As a whole, it is a long process which started from windward side of mountain, approaching the peak of mountain and ending at leeward side of the mountain.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the key stages of the rain-shadow effect from the windward to the leeward side. However, the description is somewhat repetitive, particularly in the final paragraph, which restates information already provided in the introduction and body. While the main stages are identified, the explanation lacks a degree of precision in describing the physical processes (e.g., the relationship between altitude, temperature, and moisture). To reach a higher band, ensure that the summary synthesizes the information more effectively rather than simply listing the steps in a narrative fashion.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, with an introduction, a body paragraph detailing the process, and a concluding summary. Cohesive devices such as 'Starting from', 'due to this', and 'As a whole' are used to guide the reader. However, the progression of ideas is slightly mechanical, and the final paragraph feels redundant rather than providing a meaningful synthesis of the data. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to connect the cause-and-effect relationships more fluidly.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is adequate for the task, with relevant terms such as 'precipitates', 'windward', 'leeward', and 'moist air'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'when peaked at mountain' and 'making this rain-shadow desert'. The range is somewhat limited, and the repetition of phrases like 'mountain' and 'rain-shadow desert' suggests a need for more varied synonyms or more sophisticated ways to describe the geographical features and atmospheric changes. The control of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, but lacks the precision required for a higher band.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, particularly with verb tenses and subject-verb agreement, such as 'moist air... rose' (should be 'rises' for a general process), 'it transformed' (should be 'it transforms'), and 'making this rain-shadow desert' (should be 'creates'). While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. The use of complex structures is attempted, but the inconsistent tense usage suggests a lack of full control over grammatical accuracy in descriptive writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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