Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-23

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 process diagram enlists the steps through which a rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall, we can see that there are 7 steps involved in this process and it is stretched over thousands of kilometres. The moist air coming from sea side hits a mountain. Rain falls on the windward side and the dry air moves toward the leeward side.

Wind approaches the seashore. Where it meets a mountain and is forced to move upwards. As it moves upward the moist air starts cooling. As the air had vapours so clouds formation starts and after a certain height rain falls. There vapours coming from the seaside are full of minerals. That's why this area does not form a desert.

After that air, without the vapours and minerals, starts moving downhill on the leeward side. Moving forwards it reaches the inland areas where rain-shadow desert are located. It is known as a rain-shadow desert because this desert is located just in the shadow of an area where a lot of rain occurs.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, identifying the wind movement, moisture cooling, and the resulting rain-shadow effect. However, the description is somewhat simplistic and lacks a clear, analytical overview of the relationship between the windward and leeward sides. While the key features are mentioned, the explanation of the 'minerals' is not supported by the typical scientific context of such diagrams, suggesting a slight misinterpretation of the visual data. To reach a higher band, ensure that the summary focuses strictly on the physical process depicted rather than adding external, potentially inaccurate information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, moving from an introduction to the process stages. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and occasionally repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'As it moves' or 'After that'. The transition between the windward side and the leeward side could be smoother to better highlight the contrast between the two areas. Referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to connect the cause-and-effect stages of the process more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'moist air', 'windward', and 'leeward'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice, such as 'enlists' (which is better suited for a list than a diagram description) and the claim that the air is 'full of minerals', which is not standard terminology for this process. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic descriptors. To improve, incorporate more precise scientific or descriptive terminology related to meteorological processes, such as 'condensation', 'precipitation', or 'arid conditions'.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'As the air had vapours so clouds formation starts' (awkward phrasing and article usage) and 'rain-shadow desert are located' (subject-verb agreement error). Punctuation is generally functional, but there are instances of sentence fragments or run-on ideas that detract from the overall clarity. While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these minor errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and article usage would be beneficial.

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

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