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 explains the formation of a dessert which is called rain-shadow dessert is formed.

Overall it is seen that it starts with the wind coming to coast of the sea and then travelling 1000 km to the inland area by becoming dry winds.

So, the first step is that winds approach the coast futher which is pushed upwards. Beacause of which, moist air rises and cools.IN the contrast, clouds are formed.

However, later rain falls from that cloud which lead to dry air that continues to flow over mountains. Lastly dry winds reaches inland areas which lead to formation of rain- shadow dessert. The winds travel a long way and undegoes a 7 step process to make this dessert

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation are identified, the description is underdeveloped and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the process. The student attempts to summarize the steps, but the explanation is too brief and misses key nuances shown in the diagram. To improve, you must expand on the descriptions of each stage, providing more detail about the atmospheric changes and the geographical context to reach the required length and depth.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into a single paragraph, which lacks the structure required for a clear, logical progression. While there are some attempts at cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'However', and 'Lastly', the flow is somewhat mechanical and disjointed. The transition between the steps is abrupt, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence of events clearly. Using clear paragraphing—such as an introduction, a body paragraph detailing the process, and a concluding summary—would greatly enhance the logical flow and coherence of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but there are recurring errors, most notably the misspelling of 'desert' as 'dessert' throughout the text. This is a significant error that affects the professional tone of the report. The range of vocabulary is limited, relying on simple descriptors. To achieve a higher band, you should aim to use more precise terminology related to geography and meteorology, such as 'precipitation', 'moisture-laden', or 'topography', and ensure that basic spelling is accurate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains several grammatical inaccuracies that impede clarity. Examples include 'winds approach the coast futher which is pushed upwards' and 'undegoes a 7 step process'. There are issues with subject-verb agreement and sentence structure, such as the awkward phrasing in the opening sentence. While some simple sentences are clear, the attempt at complex structures often results in errors. Focusing on sentence construction and proofreading for basic grammatical slips would help improve the accuracy and readability of your work.

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

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