Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-25

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 formation of a desert called rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the Inland is formed when the dry winds reaches the surface after the dry air from the rain comes over the mountain as a result of cloud formation due to the winds from the sea approaching the coast.

The wind from the sea arrives to the coast near the mountain, it is directed upwards. Later, the temperature of moist air falls down at the midway of the mountain. Formation of the clouds take place further near the windward side. Then the rain falls, after the clouds reach the tip.

The rain drops are converted to dry air and follow its path downward to the leeward side. Lastly, the winds land on the surface of inland leading in the formation of Rain-shadow desert.

For this process from wind produced by the sea to resulting rain-shadow desert takes places in the radius of thousands of kilometres.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response provides a clear overview of the process, identifying the main stages from the sea to the rain-shadow desert. However, the description of the process is somewhat simplified and lacks precision in technical terminology. For instance, the explanation of how 'rain drops are converted to dry air' is scientifically inaccurate and confusing. While the main features are covered, the response would benefit from a more detailed description of the physical changes occurring at each stage, such as the cooling of air and the specific roles of the windward and leeward sides of the mountain. The summary is adequate but lacks the depth required for a higher band.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is logically organized into paragraphs, each focusing on a specific stage of the process. The use of cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Later', 'Then', and 'Lastly' helps to guide the reader through the sequence of events. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the sentence 'The rain drops are converted to dry air and follow its path downward'. Improving the flow between sentences and ensuring that pronouns and references clearly point to the intended subjects would enhance the overall coherence of the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is generally appropriate for the task, with terms like 'moist air', 'windward side', and 'leeward side' correctly employed. However, there are instances of imprecise word choice, such as 'The wind from the sea arrives to the coast' (should be 'arrives at') and 'Formation of the clouds take place' (should be 'takes place'). The range of vocabulary is sufficient to convey the main points, but it lacks the sophistication and variety that would demonstrate a higher level of lexical control. Some phrasing is slightly awkward, which limits the score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors that persist throughout the text. Examples include 'the dry winds reaches' (subject-verb agreement error), 'arrives to the coast' (preposition error), and 'takes places' (redundant plural). Additionally, the sentence 'For this process from wind produced by the sea to resulting rain-shadow desert takes places' is grammatically disjointed. While these errors do not significantly impede communication, they indicate a lack of consistent control over complex grammatical structures.

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