Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-02
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 process how's Rain-shadow desert is formed. Overall, It is cleared that it involves several stages, when the moist air moves toward mountain sides forming clouds and becomes a source of rainfall and endig with opposite side of mountain making dry land.
At the initial stage, moist air from the ocean passes by land and moving toward upsides of the mountain. As the air rises the up side of the mountain, it becomess cooler, which cause condensation and lead to formation of clouds. Consequently, precipitation occurs on the windward side of the mountain, , it receives rainfall. In the next stage, after losing its moisture the air moves toward the leeward side of the mountain. where the air becomes hot & dry, resulting in lack of rainfall in this region. Eventually, a rain-shadow desert is formed on the leeward side of the mountain due to dry condition. Due to this reason, that area also faces shortage of water.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The response successfully identifies the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process. You have clearly outlined the movement of moist air, the cooling and condensation phase, the precipitation on the windward side, and the final dry conditions on the leeward side. The overview is present and captures the essence of the process. To reach a higher band, ensure that you avoid minor inaccuracies in the description, such as stating the air 'becomes hot' on the leeward side, which is a simplification of the adiabatic warming process. Overall, the task is addressed well with a clear logical flow of information.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay is logically organized into an introduction and a body paragraph that follows the chronological sequence of the process. You use some cohesive devices such as 'At the initial stage', 'Consequently', and 'In the next stage' to guide the reader. However, the paragraphing is slightly unbalanced, as the entire process is contained within one long paragraph. Additionally, some referencing is slightly mechanical or repetitive. Improving the use of varied transition signals and splitting the process into two distinct stages (e.g., the windward side vs. the leeward side) would enhance the overall structure and flow.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'condensation', 'precipitation', 'windward', and 'leeward' correctly. However, there are some instances of word-choice errors and awkward phrasing, such as 'process how's Rain-shadow desert is formed' and 'moving toward upsides of the mountain'. These errors do not impede communication, but they limit the precision of your writing. To improve, focus on more natural collocations and avoid informal phrasing like '&' in your formal writing. Expanding your range of descriptive verbs would also help elevate the score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While you attempt complex sentences, there are frequent grammatical errors, such as 'It is cleared that it involves', 'the air passes by land and moving', and 'which cause condensation'. Punctuation is also inconsistent, with unnecessary commas appearing in several places (e.g., 'mountain, , it receives'). While the meaning remains clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent verb tense usage will significantly improve your accuracy.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.