Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-18

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 below illustrates the formation of rain shadow deserts in 7 different steps

Overall , there are 7 steps involved in formation of rain shadow effects . It started from sea where wind approach the coast and it ended with dry winds reach inland areas.

It involved 7 different steps to reach the inland areas to form the rain shadow desert . From sea , the wind approached coast , then the wind pushed the air upwards motion . As a result moist air rise and it gets cool after some period along the windward side. It leads to the formation of clouds . Rain has started to fall upon the areas of mountains. Afterwards , the dry air continues over the mountain along the leeward side and finally dry winds reached the inland areas where the rain shadow desert formed .

Respectively , Rain shadow desert formed after going through a major transition . It started from the sea to the inland areas of the mountain .

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks analytical depth. While you identify the seven steps, the explanation of the process is quite basic and relies heavily on listing rather than synthesizing the information. For example, stating 'It involved 7 different steps' is redundant as this was already mentioned in the introduction. To achieve a higher band, you should focus on describing the causal relationships between the stages—such as how the cooling of moist air leads to precipitation—rather than simply listing the steps. The overview is present but lacks a clear summary of the overall mechanism.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the structure. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive. Phrases like 'It started from' and 'It involved' are used frequently, which limits the flow of the text. Additionally, the transition between the introduction and the body paragraphs is abrupt. The use of 'Respectively' at the beginning of the final paragraph is misused, as it does not logically connect to the preceding information. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence flows naturally into the next would significantly enhance the coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. You rely on basic verbs like 'approached', 'pushed', and 'formed'. While these are accurate, they do not demonstrate a wide range of lexical items. There are also some awkward collocations, such as 'upwards motion' instead of 'upward movement' or 'upwardly'. To improve, try to incorporate more specific scientific terminology related to weather processes, such as 'condensation', 'precipitation', or 'leeward/windward slopes', which would show a better command of the topic-specific vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Issues include subject-verb agreement (e.g., 'wind approach' instead of 'winds approach'), article usage (e.g., 'from sea' instead of 'from the sea'), and tense inconsistencies (e.g., 'Rain has started' instead of 'Rain starts'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to distract the reader. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, particularly the use of articles and consistent verb tenses when describing a process.

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

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