Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-05

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 depicts how rain-shadow deserts formation takes place. It is quite evident that there seven steps in formation of rain-shadow deserts.

It can be seen from the diagram that the very first process is the winds approach from the coast and it pushed on the upward side of mountain. Moreover, the moist air which is formed from the the winds rises and cool down and then the clouds form. The rain started falling from the clouds which is form from air and the left over dry air continues to go down from leeward side of mountain. Final process in which the dry air which came from the top of the mountain reach the inland areas. This is how formation of rain- shadow desert took place from sea coast to the Inland areas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response fails to meet the minimum word count requirement of 150 words, which significantly impacts the task achievement score. While you have identified the main stages of the process, the description is quite superficial and lacks the necessary detail to fully explain the mechanism of a rain-shadow desert. For instance, you mention 'seven steps' but do not clearly delineate or label them in the text. To improve, you should provide a more comprehensive overview of the meteorological changes, such as the specific impact of the mountain barrier on air temperature and moisture levels, ensuring you meet the length requirement to allow for full development of the information.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into two short paragraphs, which is a basic structure. While there is a logical flow from the coast to the inland areas, the use of cohesive devices is somewhat mechanical and repetitive (e.g., 'Moreover', 'Final process'). The referencing is occasionally unclear, such as in the phrase 'which is form from air', which lacks a clear antecedent. To achieve a higher band, you should use a wider variety of linking words and ensure that each sentence connects smoothly to the next, creating a more cohesive narrative throughout the response.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is generally adequate for the task but lacks the precision and range expected for higher bands. You rely on basic verbs like 'take place', 'pushed', and 'form'. There are also some awkward collocations and word choice errors, such as 'winds approach from the coast and it pushed on the upward side' and 'the rain started falling from the clouds which is form from air'. Using more academic and precise terminology related to geography and meteorology, such as 'prevailing winds', 'orographic lift', or 'precipitation', would significantly enhance the quality of your writing.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains several grammatical errors that affect the fluency of the text. There are issues with subject-verb agreement and tense consistency, such as 'there seven steps' (missing 'are') and 'rain-shadow deserts formation takes place' (should be 'the formation of...'). Additionally, there are errors with articles and passive voice construction, for example, 'which is form from air' should be 'which is formed from the air'. While you attempt some complex sentence structures, they are often marred by these persistent errors. Focusing on basic sentence construction and proofreading for verb forms will help improve your accuracy.

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

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