Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-22

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 how the natural process of formation of rain shadow desserts.

Overall, the process initiate windward side(wet side) the wind approach coast from the sea and pushes upward and then this most air rises and cools from windward side of mountain it form clouds at the peak of the mountain the rain falls.

Now, the dry continues over the mountain and descend on leeward side (dry side). Dry winds reach inland areas. Consequently, the windward slope experiences abundant moisture and lush vegetation.

In contrast, once the air mass crosses the peak and reaches the leeward side, it has lost most of its moisture. As this dry air descends down the far side of the mountain, it warms up, absorbing any remaining moisture from the land rather than dropping rain. This continuous flow of dry, warm air inhibits rainfall, eventually creating a desert in the shadow of the mountain range.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student provides a clear overview of the rain-shadow desert formation process, effectively mentioning both the windward and leeward sides of the mountain. However, the task could be better achieved by organizing the content into distinct stages for clarity, and including more specific details about the diagram, such as elevation changes and moisture retention. There is some confusion with the phrasing (e.g., 'desserts' instead of 'deserts'), which detracts from coherence. Thus, while the main features are identified, the complexity could be enhanced.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response demonstrates a logical flow when explaining the process, moving from the windward side to the leeward side of the mountains. However, transitions between ideas may be improved; for example, specifying that the second paragraph contrasts with the first could enhance coherence. Missing connecting phrases, like 'As a result' or 'In conclusion,' may help guide readers more smoothly through the explanation, thus achieving better cohesion overall.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate, with words like 'moisture,' 'abundant,' and 'vegetation' demonstrated correctly. However, certain terms such as 'desserts' should be replaced with 'deserts.' The phrase 'natural process of formation' is somewhat awkward and could be simplified. Including more specific terminology related to meteorology or geography can enhance lexical resource quality, thereby demonstrating a broader range of vocabulary.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

Overall, grammatical accuracy is a concern in this response. There are multiple errors, such as incorrect subject-verb agreements (e.g., 'initiate' should be 'initiates') and awkward phrases that impair clarity ('this most air rises and cools from windward side'). The student consistently uses the present tense, which is appropriate here, but frequent punctuation mistakes and run-on sentences weaken the readability. Improving sentence structure can significantly elevate the response's quality.

Overall feedback

Your response effectively addresses the task by outlining how rain-shadow deserts are formed, touching on the roles of both the windward and leeward sides of the mountain. However, you should work on organizing your ideas more logically and enhancing the clarity of your language. Pay attention to punctuation and grammatical accuracy to avoid confusion in meaning. Additionally, expanding your range of vocabulary will improve your overall score. Consider practicing with diagrams similar to this one to strengthen your descriptive skills further.

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

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