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 diagram demonstrates the formation of a type of desert, known as rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the figure illustrates the process that involves several stages of desert formation in which winds and rain play a vital role.

The whole process is carried out over the mountain which is thousands of kilometers wide. The initial stage involves the wind which approaches the coast to the upper level of the sea. To the right of the sea, there is a coast downward. In the second step winds pushed upwards along the sides of the mountains. In the next stage, the moist air rises and cools by which clouds are formed at the windward side. By the formation of clouds, rain falls and dry air continues over the mountain afterwards.

It goes down by the leeward side, and then dry wind reaches the inland areas. This is the procedure by which a rain-shadow desert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The response covers the main features of the diagram detailing the formation of a rain-shadow desert, noting the progression from moist air rising over mountains to cloud formation, precipitation on the windward side, and dry air descending on the leeward side. The student attempts to summarise the sequential steps, such as in the sentences 'In the next stage, the moist air rises and cools by which clouds are formed at the windward side.' However, some descriptions are slightly imprecise or under-developed in terms of comparative reporting between the two sides of the mountain. Nevertheless, all core parts of the process are mentioned, earning a solid Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response has a coherent overall arrangement and follows a chronological sequence corresponding to the diagram. The writer uses basic signposting devices to guide the reader through the process, such as 'Overall', 'The initial stage', 'In the second step', and 'In the next stage'. However, paragraphing is somewhat weak, as the entire body of the process is compressed into a single bulky paragraph rather than being logically broken down. Referencing and cohesive flow are occasionally mechanical or slightly awkward, for instance, 'By the formation of clouds, rain falls and dry air continues over the mountain afterwards.' These issues place the response firmly in the Band 6.0 category.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully employing topic-specific terms like 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'inland areas'. There are, however, instances of awkward word choice and phrasing that reveal limitations in lexical flexibility, such as 'The whole process is carried out over the mountain' instead of 'takes place' or 'occurs', and 'coasts downward'. Spelling is generally accurate, but some collocation errors occur, such as 'winds pushed upwards'. The vocabulary used is sufficient to communicate the main points but lacks the precision and wider flexibility required for a higher band, making a Band 6.0 appropriate.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response features a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, demonstrating attempts at relative clauses and prepositional phrases (e.g., 'the process that involves several stages of desert formation in which winds and rain play a vital role'). There are several grammatical inaccuracies and awkward syntactic structures throughout the text, such as 'approaches the coast to the upper level of the sea' and 'cools by which clouds are formed'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, and while these errors occasionally make the reader pause, they do not severely impede overall communication. This performance aligns well with the Band 6.0 descriptors for grammar.

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

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