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 illustration depicts stages involved in the formation of rain-shadow deserts.

Overall, it is a cyclic process consisting 7 stages. It begins with wind approaching to coast and ends with the dry winds reach inland areas. Throughout this process evaporation also took place, which led to rain falls.

Firstly, the wind approaches to the coast from the sea, then the wind pushes upwards adjacent to the mountains. The air containing moisture rises and cools. Resultantly, clouds form, which led rain falls on the windward side of the mountains.

Subsequently, dry air continues to reach leeward side of the mountain. After that the dry winds go downwards to reach inland areas. Consequently, rain-shadow deserts are formed .

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 ability to fully develop the description of the process. While you have identified the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation, the explanation is quite brief and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the mechanics of the process, such as the specific temperature changes or the distinction between the windward and leeward sides. To improve, you should expand on the provided information by adding more descriptive detail about each stage of the cycle, ensuring you reach the required length to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is logically organized, following the sequence of the diagram from the coast to the inland areas. You have used some cohesive devices such as 'Firstly', 'Subsequently', and 'Consequently' to guide the reader through the process. However, the paragraphing is somewhat underdeveloped due to the short length of the text. To achieve a higher band, ensure that each stage of the process is clearly linked with a wider variety of cohesive devices and that the transition between the windward and leeward sides is more explicitly connected to the overall cycle.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the task, with terms like 'moisture', 'evaporation', 'windward', and 'leeward' being used correctly. However, the range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simple phrasing. To improve, try to incorporate more precise academic vocabulary to describe the movement of air and the physical changes occurring, such as 'precipitate', 'arid', or 'atmospheric pressure'. The current range is adequate for the task but lacks the flexibility and sophistication required for higher bands.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains several grammatical errors that affect the flow of the text. For example, 'wind approaching to coast' should be 'wind approaching the coast', and 'led rain falls' is grammatically incorrect; it should be 'leads to rainfall'. Additionally, there are issues with article usage and verb tense consistency. While you have attempted some complex sentence structures, the frequent errors in basic grammar and sentence construction hinder the overall accuracy. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and correct preposition usage will help improve your score in this area.

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

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