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 diagram illustrates that how the formation of rain-shadow deserts occur from the sea coast which covers thousands of kilometres to reach the rain shadow desert.

Overall, it is a linear process consisting of seven stages, beginning with winds approach coast and ending with dry winds reach inland areas. The process involves Winds approach, winds pushed upwards, Moist air rises and cools, clouds form, rain falls, dry air continues, dry winds reached at final destination.

Initially, the winds approach towards the coast followed by the winds pushed to upwards direction on the windward side. Subsequently the levels of the moist air raises and cools before formation of clouds.

Furthermore, the process of rain falls started, after which the dry air continues over mountain on the Leeward side of the mountain. Finally, the dry winds reach to the inland areas which is rain shadow desert from the coast of the sea.

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 key steps from the sea to the inland area. However, the description is somewhat mechanical, relying heavily on listing the steps rather than providing a cohesive summary of the process. While the main features are identified, the explanation of the relationship between the windward and leeward sides could be more detailed to fully meet the requirements of a Band 7. The overview is present but lacks a sophisticated synthesis of the information provided in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'Subsequently', 'Furthermore', and 'Finally' are used to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally interrupted by awkward phrasing and repetitive sentence structures. The referencing is generally clear, but the connection between the stages could be smoother. The use of bullet-point-like lists within the second paragraph detracts from the overall flow and academic tone of the report.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. Phrases like 'winds approach coast' and 'rain falls started' are somewhat simplistic. There are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'winds pushed to upwards direction' instead of 'upward direction' or 'upwards'. The student uses basic terminology to describe the meteorological process. To achieve a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise scientific or descriptive vocabulary related to geography and climate processes, such as 'prevailing winds', 'orographic lift', or 'precipitation'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'The diagram illustrates that how the formation... occur' (incorrect clause structure), 'winds pushed upwards' (missing auxiliary verb), and 'dry winds reached at final destination' (incorrect preposition and article usage). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to lower the score. The student needs to focus on subject-verb agreement, correct preposition usage, and more accurate tense consistency when describing a continuous process.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.