Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-11

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 illustration shows the process through which rain shadow desert is formed involves seven key steps.

Overall, it is immediately clear that strong winds are the reason this process starts; conversely, only the dry wind reach inland area causing drought and the area got the name rain shadow desert.

The first step introduces that winds blowing above the sea get pushed upward while coming towards the mountains; additionally, due to this the moisture air rises and cools down. Meanwhile the clouds get formed these clouds are the reason it rains at the top of the mountain but it is clearly shown the rain only falls at the left side of the mountain as the distance to the other side is immense.

However, because of lack of moisture on the right side only dry air continues over the mountain and reach inland below. Furthermore this area below represents 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 process. However, the description is somewhat superficial. While you mention the wind, moisture, and the mountain barrier, the explanation of the process lacks precision in describing the causal links between the stages. For instance, the transition from moisture-laden air to the dry air on the leeward side could be more clearly articulated to show a better grasp of the scientific process depicted. The overview is present but could be more effectively integrated to highlight the contrast between the windward and leeward sides of the mountain.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is organized into logical paragraphs, which helps the reader follow the progression of the process. You use some cohesive devices such as 'additionally', 'meanwhile', and 'furthermore' to link ideas. However, some of these transitions feel slightly mechanical or are used with minor grammatical awkwardness, such as 'the first step introduces that...'. The referencing is generally clear, but the flow between sentences could be improved by using more varied cohesive structures to connect the cause-and-effect relationships more fluidly.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

You demonstrate an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, using terms like 'moisture', 'inland', and 'rain-shadow'. However, there are some inaccuracies in word choice and collocation, such as 'the area got the name' (should be 'is termed' or 'is known as') and 'the moisture air' (should be 'moist air'). The vocabulary is functional but lacks the sophistication or precision required for a higher band. To improve, focus on using more precise scientific terminology and ensuring collocations are natural.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures. There are several grammatical errors that occasionally impede the flow, such as 'only the dry wind reach inland area' (subject-verb agreement and article usage) and 'due to this the moisture air rises' (missing punctuation). While the meaning is generally clear, the frequency of these errors prevents the writing from reaching a higher band. You should focus on subject-verb agreement, the correct use of articles, and ensuring that complex sentences are punctuated correctly to improve overall accuracy.

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

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