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 depicts the process by which a Rain-shadow desert is formed.

In this 7-step process, a series of events take place, starting from the wind coming from the sea approaching the coast, travelling the windward side and reaching the leeward side finally, when the dry wind reaches the inland areas. In all this cycle, conversion of wind in to moist air, formation of clouds, rainfall, movement of dry air remained the key steps.

The process begins when the wind from the sea side reaches the coast and in pushed up directing to the windward side where evaporation of moist air takes place and results if the formation of clouds which then falls as rain at the peak of the mountain.

At step 6, dry air formed continues to the Leeward side which id the opposite side of the mountain. Once this step is over, this air reaches the Inland area of the desert hence, leading towards the formation of Rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, identifying the movement of air from the sea to the inland area. However, the description is somewhat superficial. While you mention the 7-step process, you do not clearly delineate these steps in the body paragraphs, making it difficult for the reader to follow the sequence precisely. The summary of the 'key steps' is a good attempt at an overview, but the body paragraphs lack detail regarding the specific physical changes (such as cooling or condensation) that occur at each stage. To improve, ensure each stage is clearly linked to the visual information provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into an introduction and two body paragraphs, which provides a basic structure. However, the progression of ideas is occasionally disjointed. For example, the transition between the general overview and the specific steps is abrupt. While you use some cohesive devices like 'The process begins' and 'Once this step is over', the flow is sometimes hindered by awkward phrasing. The use of referencing is generally clear, but the paragraphing could be more balanced to better separate the distinct phases of the desert formation process.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'evaporation', 'moist air', and 'leeward side'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'in pushed up directing to' and 'conversion of wind in to moist air'. These errors do not impede communication, but they do limit the precision of your writing. To reach a higher band, focus on using more precise verbs and ensuring that your collocations sound natural in a scientific or descriptive context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors, such as 'results if the formation' (should be 'results in'), 'id the opposite side' (typo for 'is'), and 'wind in to' (should be 'into'). Additionally, some sentences are slightly clunky, such as 'in all this cycle, conversion of wind in to moist air... remained the key steps'. While these errors are noticeable, they rarely prevent the reader from understanding the intended meaning. Increasing the variety of error-free complex sentences would improve your score.

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