Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-04

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 demonstrates the formation rain-shadow deserts.

Overall, the charts shows the seven operation by which the rain-shadow desert did formed.

At the beginning, The winds approach the coast, as the winds approach near the sea it becomes stronger. After that winds pushed upward by the sea towards mountain. At the third number, moist air rises and become cool. This side is hill is also called windward side. Moreover, the moist air turn in the shape of clouds.

Furthermore, subsequent to develop into clouds, these clouds go up on the top of mountain. On the other hand, due to become cool, these clouds may cause the reason of rain falls on the top. In addition, dry air continues over the mountain. This side is known as leeward side. Additionally, dry winds reach inlands areas. These inland areas called as rain-shadow desert. There is the distance of thousands of kilometers between sea and these deserts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response addresses the task by describing the formation of a rain-shadow desert. You have identified the main stages, such as the wind approaching the coast, the cooling of moist air, and the resulting dry conditions on the leeward side. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and relies on a step-by-step listing approach rather than a cohesive summary of the process. While the key features are present, the explanation of the process lacks depth and professional tone. To improve, focus on synthesizing the information into a more fluid narrative that highlights the causal relationship between the mountain barrier and the resulting climate, rather than simply listing the steps as they appear in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into a brief introduction and a body paragraph. While there is a logical progression from the sea to the inland desert, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat repetitive and mechanical (e.g., 'At the beginning', 'After that', 'At the third number', 'Furthermore', 'Additionally'). The paragraphing is insufficient; the entire process description is contained in one block, which makes it difficult to follow the transition between the windward and leeward stages. Using more sophisticated linking phrases and breaking the text into two distinct paragraphs—one for the windward process and one for the leeward outcome—would significantly improve the flow and clarity of your writing.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks the precision expected at higher bands. You use basic descriptors such as 'stronger', 'cool', and 'dry', which are functional but repetitive. There are also some awkward collocations and word choices, such as 'the seven operation' (should be 'stages' or 'steps') and 'cause the reason of rain falls' (which is grammatically incorrect and imprecise). To achieve a higher score, try to incorporate more subject-specific terminology related to geography and meteorology, such as 'prevailing winds', 'precipitation', 'orographic lift', or 'arid conditions', and ensure that your word choices are more natural and accurate in context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The response contains frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow of reading. Examples include 'the charts shows' (subject-verb agreement), 'did formed' (incorrect tense), 'due to become cool' (incorrect structure), and 'These inland areas called as' (missing verb). There is a limited range of sentence structures, with most sentences being simple or containing errors when attempting more complex constructions. To improve, focus on mastering basic subject-verb agreement, correct verb tenses for describing processes (usually the present simple), and the proper use of passive voice, which is essential for describing scientific or geographical processes in Academic Task 1.

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

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