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 illustrated diagram shows the process of formation of rain shadow deserts .At the sea the heavy winds approaches the coast due to the heavy flow the winds gets pushed upwards in this process the moist air rises and then cools down creating the clouds form in the sky.After clouds are formed the rain starts but the dry air continues over the mountain coming from windward side and dropping through leeward side.Meanwhile dry winds from the top reaches the bottom and reaches inland areas.the distance of coast and sea from the inland area is thousand of kilometers but the whole process happens through winds and creates a rain shadow desert miles away from the coast of sea.

This is how the whole process of these desert formation This is just one type of desert there are many other kinds of deserts that forms from various process of nature in the world.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, identifying the windward side, the mountain barrier, and the leeward side. However, the description is somewhat simplistic and lacks a clear overview or summary of the key features. The final sentence is irrelevant to the task as it discusses other types of deserts not shown in the diagram. To improve, you should focus on providing a clear, concise summary of the process without including external information or personal commentary. Ensure that the progression from moist air to dry air is described with more precision regarding the geographical features shown.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.0

The essay lacks clear paragraphing, which makes the flow of information feel disjointed. While there is a basic attempt to sequence the process, the use of cohesive devices is limited and sometimes mechanical. For instance, the transition between the windward and leeward sides is abrupt. The text would benefit from better signposting (e.g., 'Initially,' 'Subsequently,' 'As a result') to guide the reader through the stages of the diagram. Additionally, the final paragraph is disconnected from the main body, and the lack of proper punctuation between sentences makes the overall structure difficult to follow.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision required for a higher band. You rely on basic terms like 'heavy winds' and 'various process of nature.' There are also some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'creating the clouds form in the sky' and 'dropping through leeward side.' To reach a higher band, you should incorporate more specific terminology related to geography and meteorology, such as 'moisture-laden,' 'precipitation,' 'orographic lift,' or 'arid conditions.' Expanding your range of vocabulary will help you describe the process more accurately and professionally.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors, particularly regarding subject-verb agreement ('winds approaches,' 'winds gets pushed,' 'clouds form') and article usage. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with several run-on sentences and missing spaces after periods. While there is an attempt to use complex sentence structures, these are often faulty, which can occasionally impede the reader's understanding. To improve, focus on mastering basic sentence construction, ensuring that subjects and verbs agree, and using commas and periods correctly to separate distinct ideas. Reducing these frequent errors is essential for achieving a higher score.

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

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