Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-12
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 picture below illustrates the creation of a desert type known as rain-shadow desert.
Overall, the process takes place in 7 different steps beginning from the winds approaching coast and then moving upwards to form clouds. At the end the dry winds reach inland areas after traveling thousands of kilometers creats rain-shadow desert.
Firstly, winds approach coast which then pushed upwards to the mountain top. Wind is changed into moist air as it raised upward to mountain top. The side through which the wind moves upward is known as Windward side of mountain. Moist air rises and cools at the mid of mountain. At windward side clouds formation take place.
Secondly, rain falls at top of the mountains causing the dry air to continues over mountain. Moreover, the wind starts to move downward after rainfall. The side through which the air moves downward is called leeward side .After travelling thousands of kilometres dry winds reach inland areas that causes the formation of rain-shadow desert.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 6.0 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student successfully covers all parts of the task by outlining the main features of the rain-shadow desert formation diagram. An overview is provided, stating that the process involves seven steps beginning with winds approaching the coast and ending with dry winds forming a desert inland. Key stages such as the windward side, the cooling of moist air, cloud formation, precipitation at the mountain top, and the leeward side are identified and described. While some minor details could be further integrated or expanded, the overall response provides a clear summary and fulfills the requirements of Task 1 adequately, aligning with the Band 6 descriptor for covering all parts of the task with relevant ideas.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0
The text demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a logical progression from the coastal approach to the inland desert formation. The student uses basic sequencing expressions such as 'Overall', 'Firstly', and 'Secondly' to structure the response. However, paragraphing is somewhat fragmented, and cohesive devices are occasionally mechanical or repetitive. Referencing is mostly clear, though transitional links between sentences could be smoother. For instance, sentences like 'Wind is changed into moist air as it raised upward' disrupt the flow slightly, placing this criterion solidly in the Band 6 range due to faulty or mechanical cohesion.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating specific process-related terms such as 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'dry winds'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation inaccuracies, such as 'creation of a desert type known as rain-shadow desert' (missing an article), 'winds approach coast which then pushed upwards', and the grammatical slip 'creats rain-shadow desert'. Less common lexical items are attempted but lack precision. Because the vocabulary is sufficient to convey the core message despite these errors, a Band 5.5 or 6.0 is appropriate; given the presence of noticeable vocabulary and word formation errors, a 5.5 is warranted.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as subordinate clauses beginning with 'through which' and participle clauses like 'after travelling thousands of kilometres'. However, grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several recurring errors, including missing articles ('known as rain-shadow desert', 'at top of the mountains'), tense and voice errors ('which then pushed upwards', 'as it raised upward'), and spelling/form errors ('continues over mountain' instead of 'continue'). These frequent errors can occasionally cause minor difficulty for the reader, matching the profile of Band 5.0.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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