Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-17

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 process diagram illustrates the formation of rain-shadow desert, which is one type of desert.

Overall, there are total seven steps require to form a rain-shadow desert. The starting from winds approach coast in sea side to end with dry winds reach inland areas.

To begin with, winds approach coast is the first step of this process, which happen at surface level of the sea, near to coastal line. Secondly, the winds pushed upward and converted into moist air. Furthermore, moist air rises and cools in the third step. The next step is clouds formation. These clouds formed from moist air.

In the fifth step, heavy rain falls happen and dry air continues over the mountain in the sixth step and reached on the leeward side. In the last step, dry winds reach to the inland areas and covert into rain-shadow desert. Moreover, winds require to travel thousands of kilometers over the mountains to the formation of rain-shadow deserts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear overview of the physical principles involved (e.g., the role of the mountain as a barrier). While you identified the seven steps, the explanation of the 'rain-shadow' effect itself is underdeveloped. To improve, focus on synthesizing the information rather than simply listing the steps. For instance, explaining how the mountain forces the air to rise, leading to precipitation on one side and aridity on the other, would provide a more comprehensive summary of the diagram's core message.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical (e.g., 'To begin with', 'Secondly', 'Furthermore', 'The next step'). The transition between sentences is sometimes abrupt, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'These clouds formed from moist air', which feels redundant. Using a wider variety of linking words and improving the flow between sentences would help achieve a higher band score.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate to describe the process, but it lacks the precision and range expected for higher bands. You rely on basic verbs like 'pushed', 'converted', and 'reach'. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'heavy rain falls happen' and 'covert into rain-shadow desert'. To improve, try to incorporate more specific scientific or descriptive terminology related to weather patterns and geographical features, and ensure that word forms are used correctly in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

There are frequent grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly regarding subject-verb agreement and article usage. Examples include 'there are total seven steps require' (should be 'required'), 'winds approach coast' (missing articles), and 'which happen at surface level' (should be 'happens'). The sentence structures are mostly simple, with limited attempts at complex sentences. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, including correct verb tenses and the appropriate use of articles, before attempting more complex grammatical structures.

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

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