Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-01

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 demonstrates that the desert is formed, commonly called a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, it is clear that the desert has 7 stages, from Winds approaching the coast to Dry winds reaching inland areas. Wind approaches upward to the windward side over the mountains; clouds are formed, and rain falls onto the next step. After that, dry air begins to move toward the rain-shadow desert.

First, the winds move from the sea toward the coast, and winds are pushed upward. Additionally, the moist air rises and starts cooling on the windward side. In the next step, clouds are formed. Winds travel thousands of kilometres, from the sea to the high-rise mountains.

In the fifth step, rain falls at the top of the mountain, and dry air continues its movement over the mountain from the leeward side all the way to inland areas. A rain-shadow desert is formed at the end.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the process from moist air movement to the formation of the rain-shadow desert. However, the description is somewhat mechanical, relying on a step-by-step listing rather than a cohesive summary of the process. While the key stages are mentioned, the explanation of the physical phenomena (such as the cooling of air and the rain-shadow effect) lacks depth. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the causal relationship between the mountain barrier and the resulting arid climate. The response meets the minimum length requirement, but the analysis remains at a surface level.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of the process. Cohesive devices such as 'First', 'Additionally', 'In the next step', and 'After that' are used to link ideas. However, some of these transitions feel slightly repetitive or mechanical. The referencing is generally clear, though the flow between sentences could be improved to create a more natural narrative of the process. The paragraphing is appropriate for the task, and the information is presented in a sequence that reflects the diagram's stages.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task, using terms like 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'rain-shadow'. However, the range is somewhat limited, and there is a reliance on simple phrasing. Some word choices are slightly awkward, such as 'Wind approaches upward' or 'rain falls onto the next step', which do not accurately describe the meteorological process. To reach a higher band, the student should incorporate more precise scientific terminology and demonstrate a better grasp of collocations related to geographical processes.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical inaccuracies. For example, 'The diagram demonstrates that the desert is formed, commonly called a rain-shadow desert' is syntactically awkward. There are also issues with article usage and prepositional phrases, such as 'from the sea to the high-rise mountains'. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. A greater variety of complex structures with higher accuracy is needed for a band 7.

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

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