Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-20

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 the different steps in the formation of rain-shadow deserts within the range of thousands of kilometres.

Overall, the diagram explain that winds come from the sea then the winds hit the mountains. The winds winds cools after moving upward and transfer into clouds then the clouds fall water on one side of the mountain. At the end dry clouds moves down on opposite side of the mountains and reach in areas of inland.

In the first step the winds approach the coast then the winds hit the windward side of the mountains. After that the wind moves upward and carries moisture from the sea and the wind cools there. After cooling the winds transfers into the clouds form then the clouds reach the upper side of the mountains. The clouds rain falls there and dry there. In the final stage the dry clouds move down on opposite side of the mountains and the dry winds reach inland areas are known as rain-shadow deserts.

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 movement of air from the sea, the ascent over mountains, precipitation, and the resulting dry conditions inland. However, the description is somewhat repetitive and lacks precision in technical terminology. While the main features are reported, the explanation of the process is occasionally unclear, such as the phrase 'dry clouds move down'. To improve, ensure that the relationship between moisture loss and the change in air temperature is described more accurately. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the core mechanism of the process.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive, with frequent reliance on 'after that' and 'in the first step'. Referencing is occasionally unclear, such as the use of 'there' without a specific antecedent, which makes the flow of information feel slightly disjointed. Improving the variety of linking words and ensuring that pronouns clearly refer back to previously mentioned nouns would significantly enhance the logical flow and coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but remains quite basic and repetitive. Phrases like 'fall water' and 'transfers into the clouds form' are unnatural and imprecise. There is a lack of subject-specific terminology that would be expected in a process description, such as 'condensation', 'precipitation', or 'leeward side'. To reach a higher band, you should focus on using more precise scientific vocabulary and improving your control over collocations. For example, instead of 'fall water', use 'precipitate' or 'release moisture'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('the diagram explain', 'winds cools', 'clouds moves') and awkward phrasing ('the clouds reach the upper side of the mountains'). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence structure is often repetitive. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to distract the reader. Focusing on basic subject-verb agreement and refining sentence construction will help improve the accuracy and readability of your writing.

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