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 pictorial diagram provides the information regarding the formation of rain shadow deserts.

Overall,it is evident that it is natural process, starts with the approach of winds and end with dry winds reach inland areas. Rain falls plays a vital role in this process.

To commence with, in summer, Evaporation process begin at coast side . Water is goes to the atmosphere. Wind is pushed by the air . The area is called windward side .After that, moist air rises and cools. It is goes to the mountains . Now it is an cloud form . In this process cloud cuts many thousands of kilometres.

To add further, heavy clouds rain falls at mountains. The water goes to the dry said it is called leeward side . Additionally, dry air is continuous over the mountains. Finally, dry winds reaches inland areas . Hence, the process is continuous every year .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation, identifying the windward and leeward sides and the role of moisture. However, the description is somewhat simplistic and lacks the precision required for a higher band. For instance, the statement 'cloud cuts many thousands of kilometres' is vague and does not accurately reflect the geographical process shown in the diagram. While the main features are selected, the explanation of the transition from moist air to dry air lacks technical clarity. To improve, focus on describing the physical changes in the air mass more accurately, such as the cooling and condensation process, rather than using overly simplified language.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is often mechanical and sometimes awkward. Phrases like 'To commence with', 'To add further', and 'After that' are used repetitively. Additionally, some transitions are unclear, such as 'The water goes to the dry said it is called leeward side', which lacks a smooth connection to the previous sentence. To improve, vary your linking words and ensure that each sentence flows naturally into the next by using referencing (e.g., 'this process', 'the latter') more effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is limited and repetitive, relying on basic terms like 'process', 'wind', and 'water'. There are several instances of awkward word choice and incorrect collocations, such as 'Evaporation process begin at coast side' and 'It is goes to the mountains'. The phrase 'dry said' is likely a misspelling of 'side', which indicates a lack of precision. To achieve a higher band, you should incorporate more topic-specific vocabulary related to meteorology and geography, such as 'condensation', 'precipitation', 'prevailing winds', and 'arid conditions', while ensuring correct word forms and spelling.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede clarity. There are consistent issues with subject-verb agreement and article usage, such as 'Water is goes to the atmosphere' and 'It is an cloud form'. Sentence structures are predominantly simple, and attempts at more complex sentences often result in errors, such as 'heavy clouds rain falls at mountains'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with missing spaces after commas (e.g., 'Overall,it'). To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, specifically the use of auxiliary verbs and the correct placement 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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