Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-08-30

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 process diagram represents the formation of rain-shadow deserts, how each type of desert known as a rain-shadow desert is made.

Overall, the process consists of seven stages, beginning with the wind that approaches coast through sea and ending with when dry winds reach inland areas.

At the first stage, winds approach coast from the sea to coast pushed upwards. Next, to the windward side moist air rises and cools into a cloud form. Following this, at this stage rain falls from the clouds. Once rain has fallen, dry air continues over mountain to the leeward side of moutains. Afterwards, dry winds reached at the inland areas where rain-shadow deserts made.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While the student identifies the main stages of the process, the description is too brief and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the formation of the rain-shadow desert. Key features, such as the specific role of the mountain barrier and the contrast between the windward and leeward sides, are mentioned but not sufficiently developed. To improve, the student should expand on the physical processes involved at each stage, such as the specific temperature changes or the moisture levels, to provide a more comprehensive summary.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is logically organized, following the chronological order of the process. The use of cohesive devices such as 'At the first stage', 'Next', 'Following this', and 'Afterwards' helps to guide the reader through the sequence. However, the paragraphing is insufficient; the entire response is contained within two very short paragraphs. A more effective structure would involve a clear introduction, a body paragraph detailing the process, and a brief concluding summary. The flow is generally clear, but the lack of depth makes the progression feel somewhat mechanical.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety required for a higher band score. The student uses basic terms like 'moist air', 'dry air', and 'clouds'. There is some repetition, such as the repeated use of 'coast' and 'rain'. To achieve a higher score, the student should incorporate more specific scientific or descriptive vocabulary related to geography and meteorology, such as 'precipitation', 'condensation', 'elevation', or 'arid conditions'. The current range is sufficient to convey the basic meaning but does not demonstrate a flexible or sophisticated command of language.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains several grammatical errors that affect the clarity of the writing. For example, 'winds approach coast from the sea to coast pushed upwards' is syntactically awkward and lacks proper prepositions. There are also issues with article usage ('to the windward side') and verb tense consistency ('dry winds reached at the inland areas'). While the student attempts a mix of simple and complex structures, the frequent errors in sentence construction and word order indicate a lack of control. More attention to subject-verb agreement and the correct use of articles would improve the overall accuracy.

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

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