Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-27

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 represents the formation of the rain shadow desert in seven different steps.

Overall, the process of a rain shadow desert undergoes seven different steps, starting from wind formation at the coast to dry wind reaching the inland areas.

In the first step, the moving air from the sea reaches the coast, and it is pushed up. After that, the air that contains moisture rises up and temeperature fall to cool it. In the fourth stage, due to the dramatic fall in temperature, cloud formation occurs, and ultimately rain.

After Rain formation, following the sixth phase, the dry air continues to move over the mountains on the leeward side. From the leeward side, dry air reaches inland areas, and by steady flow, it ultimately results in the rain shadow deserts. All seven steps represent the moving air from thousands of kilometers from one coast to the final derstination

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which negatively impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified the main stages of the process, the description is somewhat superficial. You mention seven steps but do not clearly delineate them in the body paragraphs, making the progression feel rushed. To improve, ensure you provide a more detailed explanation of the physical changes occurring at each stage, such as the specific interaction between the moisture-laden air and the mountain barrier. The summary is accurate but lacks the depth required for a higher band score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay has a basic logical flow, moving from the coast to the inland desert. However, the paragraphing is weak; the response is essentially one long block of text, which hinders readability. While you use some cohesive devices like 'After that' and 'In the fourth stage', the transitions between sentences are sometimes mechanical. To improve, use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each paragraph focuses on a distinct stage of the process (e.g., initial moisture collection, mountain ascent, and the resulting rain shadow effect).

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, but it lacks the precision and range expected at higher levels. You use basic terms like 'moving air' and 'rain formation' repeatedly. There are also minor errors, such as 'derstination' (spelling) and 'temeperature' (spelling). To reach a higher band, incorporate more technical and descriptive vocabulary related to geography and meteorology, such as 'prevailing winds', 'orographic lift', 'precipitation', and 'leeward'. This would demonstrate a more sophisticated command of the topic.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally distract the reader. For example, 'temperature fall to cool it' should be 'temperatures fall, cooling it'. Additionally, there are issues with article usage and subject-verb agreement, such as 'the process of a rain shadow desert undergoes seven different steps'. While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of control over complex structures limits the score. Focus on proofreading for basic subject-verb agreement and ensuring consistent tense usage throughout the report.

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

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