Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-07

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, illustrate how one specific type of desert called rain-shadow desert is produced, which cover thousand of kilometers of the one mountains, which is divided into two sides windward and leeward.

Initially,there is sea and coast at the bottom of one side the mountains and then winds approach coast. Next, winds pushed upwards on the mountains. After that air become moist and rises and cooldown. movingahead at windward side clouds form , it turn into water and rain started falling.

In the following stage, Dry air continues over mountain. This is then followed by dry winds reach inland areas after passing through leeward side of the mountains. Finally, the finished part is inland in where rain-shadow deserts formation completed.

Overall, the process involves seven steps, beginning with approach coast by winds and ending with dry winds reach inland areas which is formed rain-shadow desert. The procedure consists of several stages before the final formation of rain- shadow desert complete.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, identifying the key geographical features such as the windward and leeward sides. However, the description is somewhat mechanical and lacks a clear, analytical overview of the relationship between the moisture, elevation, and the resulting desert. While the main features are reported, the explanation of the process is occasionally disjointed, and the summary of the seven steps in the final paragraph is repetitive rather than synthesising the information effectively. To improve, focus on linking the cause-and-effect relationships more fluidly.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organised into paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the sequence of events. However, the use of cohesive devices is often repetitive or slightly unnatural, such as the frequent use of 'Next', 'After that', and 'In the following stage'. Some transitions are clunky, and the referencing is occasionally unclear, particularly in the final paragraph where the summary feels redundant. The logical progression is present but could be improved by using a wider variety of linking words and ensuring that each sentence flows more naturally into the next.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is generally adequate for the task, allowing for a basic description of the process. However, there are several instances of awkward phrasing and word choice, such as 'finished part is inland' and 'the procedure consists of several stages before the final formation... complete'. The range is somewhat limited, and there is a lack of more precise, academic terminology that would elevate the response. Spelling and collocation errors, such as 'thousand of kilometers' (thousands) and 'cooldown' (cool down), are present but do not significantly impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response relies heavily on simple sentence structures, and there are frequent grammatical errors throughout. Examples include subject-verb agreement issues ('winds pushed upwards', 'air become moist'), missing articles ('at bottom of one side the mountains'), and punctuation errors ('Initially,there is'). While the meaning is generally clear, the lack of complex sentence structures and the persistence of basic grammatical errors limit the score. To reach a higher band, you should focus on mastering subject-verb agreement and incorporating more varied, error-free complex sentences.

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

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