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 diagrammatic representation demonstrates the procedure of formation of a kind of desert called as a rain-shadow desert.

The procedure of formation of a rain-shadow desert commences when the winds approached the coastal area which is situated under the sea and mountains. In the following step, the winds are pushed towards the skywards direction. After heading towards the windward side of the mountains, the moist air rises and cools down. After that, the clouds are formed in the next step after the moist air get cool.

Moving further, after the cloud formation, rain fall can be seen. In the next step, the dry air consistently blows towards the leeward side of the mountains. Further, after crossing the leeward side, the dry winds reach the inland areas where a rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall, all the steps are important and interlinked to each other. Omission of even a single step can halt the whole procedure.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, from the initial moisture-laden winds to the final arid conditions. However, the overview is weak; the final paragraph is a subjective comment rather than a summary of the key features of the process. To reach a higher band, the overview should highlight the contrast between the windward (wet) and leeward (dry) sides of the mountain. While the main features are identified, the description lacks the precision required for a higher score, as it relies on a step-by-step narrative rather than a more analytical report of the geographical process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. Cohesive devices such as 'In the following step', 'Moving further', and 'After that' are used to link ideas. However, the use of these connectors is somewhat repetitive and mechanical. The final paragraph is unnecessary and does not contribute to the coherence of the report, as it offers a personal opinion on the importance of the steps rather than synthesizing the information provided in the diagram. Improving the variety of linking phrases would enhance the flow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'moist air', 'windward side', and 'leeward side' used correctly. However, the range is limited, and there are some awkward phrasings, such as 'skywards direction' and 'procedure of formation'. The expression 'known as a rain-shadow desert' is slightly redundant. To improve, you should incorporate more precise scientific or geographical terminology to describe the atmospheric changes, such as 'condensation', 'precipitation', or 'arid conditions', which would demonstrate a more sophisticated control of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'winds approached' (should be 'winds approach' for a general process), 'called as a rain-shadow desert' (incorrect collocation), and 'moist air get cool' (subject-verb agreement error). While these errors do not impede communication, they are frequent enough to prevent a higher score. The use of passive voice is appropriate for a process description, but the control over tense and agreement needs to be more consistent to achieve a higher band.

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

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