Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-03

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 below provides information on the formation of a type of desert named as rain-shadow desert

Overall, the process takes around 7 steps to form a rain-shadow desert. It begins with winds approaching the sea coast and ends with dry winds reaching the inland areas. This process spans some thousands of kilometers of mountains.

To begin with, the winds approach the sea coast and then gets pushed upward towards the windward side of the mountains. Then, the air turns moist which further rises near the mountain and the temperature drops at this step . Furthermore, this air forms clouds and approach the mountain

After the formation of clouds , First the clouds lock in moisture and begin to precipitate and then the dry air continues go over the leeward side of the mountains. Finally, the dry winds reach the inland areas resulting in the formation of the Rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the process, but the analysis is somewhat superficial. While you identify the key steps, the description lacks detail regarding the physical changes (such as the cooling of air or the specific nature of the rain-shadow). The summary of the process is accurate, but it could be improved by integrating the visual data more effectively rather than simply listing steps. The overview is clear, but the body paragraphs could benefit from a more analytical approach to the relationship between the wind, the mountain, and the resulting desert.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response is organized into logical paragraphs, and there is a clear progression from the start of the process to the end. You use some cohesive devices like 'To begin with', 'Furthermore', and 'Finally' to link ideas. However, the flow is occasionally interrupted by awkward phrasing, such as 'First the clouds lock in moisture and begin to precipitate and then the dry air continues go over'. The use of referencing is generally clear, but the paragraphing could be more balanced to ensure a smoother transition between the windward and leeward sides of the mountain.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'precipitate', 'leeward', and 'windward' correctly. However, there are some instances of repetitive or imprecise word choice, such as 'gets pushed' and 'turns moist'. To reach a higher band, you should aim for more precise scientific terminology and avoid informal phrasing. The vocabulary is sufficient to convey the meaning, but it lacks the sophistication required for a higher score.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

There is a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. While the meaning is generally clear, there are several grammatical errors, such as 'winds... gets pushed' (subject-verb agreement) and 'continues go over' (missing infinitive 'to'). Punctuation is also inconsistent, particularly with the placement of commas before conjunctions. While these errors do not impede communication, they occur frequently enough to prevent a higher score. Focusing on subject-verb agreement and consistent verb forms will significantly improve your accuracy.

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

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