Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-13

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 illustrates the formation of rain shadow deserts. Overall, It includes seven major steps that demonstrates the whole process of the production of rain-shadow deserts.

The Rain-shadow deserts is occupied with the mountains in which there is a sea on one side of the mountains and beside it there is also a coast. Above the mountains there is a windward side and the leeward side. At the bottom right corner of mountains there is an area which is known as inland.

If we talk about the process specifically, it starts with the sea mainly so initially, the winds enter from the sea side and access coast then winds are being pushed to go upwards towards the windward side where the air with humidity become chilly and cold. Subsequently, the next step involves the formation of clouds from which rain falls sometimes. The phenomenon that continues over the mountain is dry air and ultimately dry winds reach the inland areas thats how the rain- shadow deserts are produced.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student successfully addresses the main features of the diagram showing the formation of a rain-shadow desert, noting the key geographical elements such as the sea, the coast, the windward and leeward sides of the mountains, and the inland area. The overview is somewhat basic, stating that it includes seven major steps, but the overall sequence is captured. However, the explanation lacks precise synthesis and could highlight comparisons or the relationship between moisture loss and elevation more thoroughly. The response meets the task requirements by summarising the essential information, placing it at a Band 5.5 to 6.0 level.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is arranged with an introduction, a spatial description paragraph, and a process description paragraph. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Initially', 'Subsequently', and 'ultimately' are used to signal logical progression, though some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive ('If we talk about the process specifically'). Paragraphing is somewhat rudimentary, grouping too many process steps into a single block of text rather than guiding the reader through distinct stages of the cycle. Referencing is generally clear, but the lack of balanced paragraphing keeps this criterion at a Band 5.5.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating specific terms from the diagram prompt such as 'rain-shadow deserts', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'inland'. However, the range is limited, and there are noticeable awkward lexical choices and phrasing, such as 'is occupied with the mountains', 'access coast', and 'production of rain-shadow deserts' instead of formation. Spelling is generally accurate, but word choice errors prevent the response from achieving a higher band, placing it firmly at a Band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, although many complex sentences are awkwardly constructed or run-on, such as the lengthy sentence starting with 'If we talk about the process specifically...'. There are several grammatical inaccuracies and issues with punctuation, including missing articles ('The Rain-shadow deserts is occupied'), incorrect subject-verb agreement ('steps that demonstrates'), and lowercase errors ('Overall, It'). While meaning is generally conveyed, the frequency of grammatical slips impacts the overall fluency and accuracy.

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

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