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 process diagram illustrates the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, there are total seven steps, that are involved in the formation of a rain-shadow desert, it started from the sea when the winds approach coast and concluded on when the dry winds reach inland areas. In this whole process, wind covers the distance of thousands of kilometers.

The first stage is that when wind has started and approach the mountains region. Mountains pushed the sea wind on the upward direction, which is followed by the stage when the moist air rises and cools. Due to excessive humidity, it leads to the formation of the clouds.

On the fifth stage the rain falls happen on the peak of mountains. Then the dry air continues over mountain and passes through the leeward side.

The seventh and last stage of the formation of rain-shadow desert is that when the dry winds reach inland areas. In this whole process, wind covered the distance of the thousands of kilometers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process. However, the description is somewhat mechanical, relying on a step-by-step list rather than a cohesive summary of the process. While the overview mentions seven steps, the analysis lacks depth in explaining the causal relationships between the stages, such as the specific impact of the mountain range on moisture levels. The summary of the process is accurate but could be improved by grouping the stages more logically (e.g., the ascent, the precipitation, and the leeward descent) rather than simply listing them numerically.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into paragraphs, but the logical flow is somewhat disjointed. The use of cohesive devices is repetitive, particularly the reliance on 'The first stage', 'On the fifth stage', and 'The seventh and last stage'. This makes the writing feel like a list rather than a fluid report. Additionally, the referencing is occasionally unclear, and the transition between the description of the wind's movement and the formation of clouds could be smoother. Paragraphing is present but could be used more effectively to separate the distinct phases of the process.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision and variety expected at higher bands. Phrases like 'wind has started' and 'rain falls happen' are somewhat simplistic and unnatural. There is a reliance on basic terminology, and the response would benefit from more sophisticated collocations related to meteorological processes, such as 'prevailing winds', 'orographic lift', or 'arid conditions'. While the meaning is clear, the range of vocabulary is limited, which restricts the ability to describe the process with academic precision.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but there are frequent grammatical errors. Examples include 'there are total seven steps, that are involved', 'it started from the sea when the winds approach coast', and 'wind covered the distance of the thousands of kilometers'. These errors involve article usage, subject-verb agreement, and tense consistency. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they are frequent enough to lower the score. A greater focus on proofreading for basic grammatical accuracy would significantly improve the quality of the writing.

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