Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-28
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 one type of desert which is also named as a rain shadow desert, is formed through multiple steps. It is an eight step process.
initially winds from different parts of the world approach the coast on top of the sea, from where it is pushed upward towards the mountain by different forces acting. This happens on windward side of the mountain. The water particles in the moist air then evaporates and condenses to form clouds. After which, rain falls and the water moves back to join the sea as it was initially.
On the other hand, the remaining, left out dry air continues to travel on the leeward side of the mountain. After which the dry winds reach the inland area and dries the weather due to no moist air present in it.
this eight step procedure results in the formation of rain shadow dessert. The moist air ascends and causes rainfall on the windward side. However, dry air descends on the leeward sides towards the inward for the formation.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation, identifying the windward and leeward sides. However, the description is somewhat superficial. The student mentions an 'eight-step process' but does not clearly delineate these steps, leading to a lack of clarity in the sequence. While the main features are reported, the explanation of the physical processes (such as the cooling of air as it rises) is slightly inaccurate or simplified. To reach a higher band, the response should provide a more precise and logical progression of the stages shown in the diagram, ensuring the causal links between air moisture, altitude, and precipitation are clearly explained.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression from the windward side to the leeward side. However, the use of cohesive devices is sometimes mechanical or repetitive, such as the frequent use of 'After which'. There are also issues with referencing; for example, the phrase 'as it was initially' is vague. The transition between the introduction and the body paragraphs is functional, but the overall flow could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to connect the stages of the process more naturally.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing the student to describe the process clearly enough to be understood. There are some inaccuracies, such as 'dries the weather' (which is not a standard collocation) and the misspelling of 'dessert' instead of 'desert'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, relying on basic terms like 'water particles' and 'different forces'. To improve, the student should incorporate more precise scientific terminology related to meteorology and geography, such as 'moisture-laden', 'precipitation', 'orographic lift', or 'arid'.
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 'winds... approach... from where it is pushed' (subject-verb agreement error) and 'water particles... evaporates' (should be 'evaporate'). Punctuation is inconsistent, with some sentences starting with lowercase letters. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent the response from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent sentence punctuation would significantly improve the quality of the writing.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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