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 the stages involved in the natural process the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process consists of seven main stages, starting in the winds approaching the coast from the sea. Terminating to the dry winds reach inland areas which form the rain-shadow desert.

In the first stage of the process, winds approaching the coast from the sea. Then its move to an upward direction. As a result of this, moist air rises and cools the vapor. Following this, cools the vapor and forms a clouds. Clouds a undergo a transformations and grow a precipitation onto the mountain over a period of time.

In the subsequent stage of the process, in leeward side dry air continues onto the mountain. Finally, dry winds reach the inland areas and its forms a rain-shadow desert. Additionally, the distance between from coast to inland is estimated to be thousands of kilometers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, identifying the movement of air, cooling, precipitation, and the resulting dry conditions. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, integrated overview of the relationship between the mountain barrier and the climate change. While the key features are present, the explanation of the process is slightly fragmented. To reach a higher band, you should focus on synthesizing the information more fluidly, perhaps by grouping the 'moist' and 'dry' phases more distinctly to highlight the contrast between the windward and leeward sides of the mountain.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear attempt to use cohesive devices such as 'In the first stage', 'Then', 'Following this', and 'In the subsequent stage'. However, the flow is occasionally interrupted by awkward phrasing and repetitive sentence structures. Some transitions feel mechanical rather than natural. The referencing is generally clear, but the connection between sentences could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words to show the causal relationships between the stages of the process more effectively.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'moist air', 'precipitation', 'leeward side', and 'inland areas'. However, there are several instances of imprecise word choice and minor errors, such as 'Terminating to the dry winds' and 'undergo a transformations'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited, and the repetition of basic verbs like 'forms' and 'reach' restricts the sophistication of the response. To improve, try to incorporate more precise scientific or descriptive terminology related to meteorological processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains a mix of simple and some attempted complex structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow. Examples include 'winds approaching the coast... Then its move to an upward direction' (subject-verb agreement and pronoun error) and 'Clouds a undergo a transformations' (article and pluralization errors). While the meaning is generally understandable, the high frequency of these small errors prevents the writing from being considered accurate. Focusing on basic sentence construction and subject-verb agreement will significantly improve the clarity of your writing.

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

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