Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-08

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 gives the information about the rain-shadow desert, which is a type of desert and how is it formed.

Overall, the diagram shows the process of the formation of the rain shadow-desert with the precise steps of formation of rain along the sea to the mountains.

The mountains are present at the coast of the sea to the inland for thousands of kilometers. First, the wind approaches through the sea to the coast and, pushed upwards from the mountains then moist air rises to the windward side of the mountains and get cools, after that it formed clouds which reaches top of the mountains.

Furthermore, the clouds start to rain on the top of the mountains, and all the moisture become rainfall. After that all the dry air continues to flow through leeward side of the mountains and the dry air winds reaches the inland area and form rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the diagram, identifying the key stages of the rain-shadow effect: moisture from the sea, orographic lift, precipitation, and the resulting dry air. However, the description is somewhat simplistic and lacks the analytical depth required for a higher band. For instance, the explanation of the 'leeward' side and the transition to a desert environment could be more clearly articulated. While all parts of the task are addressed, the development is basic, and the summary of the process could benefit from more precise terminology regarding the atmospheric changes described in the diagram.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into a logical sequence, following the process from the sea to the inland desert. Paragraphing is present, though the structure is quite basic. Cohesive devices such as 'First', 'Furthermore', and 'After that' are used to link ideas, but they are somewhat repetitive and mechanical. The flow of information is generally clear, but the transition between the mountain precipitation and the formation of the desert could be smoother. The overall progression is logical, but the use of cohesive devices lacks the flexibility and sophistication expected at higher levels.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary is adequate for the task but lacks variety and precision. Phrases like 'pushed upwards', 'get cools', and 'all the moisture become rainfall' are functional but basic. There is an attempt to use technical terms like 'windward' and 'leeward', which is positive, but the overall range is limited. Some word choices are slightly awkward, such as 'formed clouds which reaches top', which impacts the naturalness of the writing. To improve, you should incorporate more precise scientific vocabulary related to meteorology and geography.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. However, there are frequent grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow, such as 'how is it formed' (should be 'how it is formed'), 'get cools' (should be 'cools'), and 'all the dry air continues to flow... and the dry air winds reaches' (subject-verb agreement error). Punctuation is generally functional, but the sentence construction is often clunky. While the meaning is usually clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the response from reaching a higher band score.

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

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