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 represents the process of formation of rain shadow deserts. This process undergoes various steps.

Overall, the whole is done in seven different stages; Various factors are involved in this process.

In first step, The wind from the sea approaches to the coast, that coastal winds are pushed upward by the mountains in the step two. Then after in the third stage the moist air which is raised upwards gets cool while it continuous to raise upwards. Those cool breeze of winds get condensed and leads to formation of clouds in the fourth stage.

The formed clouds reaches the peak of the mountain and get condensed and starts raining in the fifth stage. After raining the dry air comes down the hill in the sixth stage. Then in the last stage the dry air reaches island areas. In this whole process, wind travels thousands of kilometers before reaching the

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 key steps from the wind approaching the coast to the dry air reaching the inland areas. However, the summary is somewhat mechanical, relying on a step-by-step listing rather than a more integrated analysis of the process. The conclusion is incomplete, as the final sentence cuts off abruptly, which affects the overall clarity of the summary. While the main features are identified, the response lacks a sophisticated overview that synthesizes the relationship between the mountain barrier and the resulting climate change. To improve, focus on grouping related stages and ensuring the final summary is fully articulated.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, and there is a logical progression from the start of the process to the end. However, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical, with frequent reliance on 'In first step', 'Then after', and 'In the last stage'. The paragraphing is functional but basic. The abrupt ending of the final sentence significantly disrupts the flow and coherence of the concluding thought. To reach a higher band, you should use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that your sentences are complete and logically connected to the preceding information.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, allowing the reader to follow the process described. You use some relevant terms such as 'condensed', 'moist air', and 'coastal winds'. However, there are instances of awkward phrasing and word choice, such as 'the whole is done' and 'approaches to the coast'. Additionally, there is some repetition of basic verbs like 'get' and 'reaches'. To improve, try to incorporate more precise scientific or descriptive vocabulary related to meteorological processes and avoid repetitive, informal verb structures. Expanding your range of collocations will help convey the information with greater precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues (e.g., 'Those cool breeze of winds get condensed') and incorrect preposition usage (e.g., 'approaches to the coast'). There are also issues with article usage and pluralization. The final sentence is incomplete, which is a significant grammatical error. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to limit the score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and ensuring all sentences have a clear subject and predicate will improve your accuracy.

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

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