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 illustrates the formation of rain-shadow desert.

The formation of rain-shadow desert process invloves 7 steps. The raining side of the mountain is called the windward and the dry side is called the leeward side.

As the winds approach from the coast, it is pushed upwards due to incline nature of the mountain. As it rises above the temperature drops leading to ultimately cooling of air which then forms the clouds. After the formation of cloud it rains at the windward side of the mountain whereas the other side of the mountain remains dry.

The dry air prevails on the leeward side of the mountain due to scarcity of rain. The winds then travel downside the mountain which then ultimately reaches the inland areas. Likely, the rain-shadow desert is formed on the leeward side of the mountain. The distance from coast to rain-shadow desert is thousands of kilometres away.

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 transition of moist air from the coast, the cooling and precipitation on the windward side, and the resulting dry conditions on the leeward side. However, the overview is somewhat limited, and certain details are slightly imprecise, such as stating the process involves exactly seven steps or describing the distance as 'thousands of kilometres away' rather than interpreting the scale accurately. While the main stages are outlined, the development of ideas leans towards simplicity, placing this response at Band 6.0 in terms of task coverage.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response has a clear overall progression, moving sequentially from the coast across the mountain to the inland desert. Paragraphing is attempted, though the division could be managed more logically; for instance, the introduction and the mention of seven steps are separated into very short paragraphs. Cohesive devices are used to link ideas (e.g., 'As the winds approach', 'whereas', 'then ultimately'), but some referencing is slightly mechanical or repetitive ('the mountain', 'the leeward side'). Overall, the logical flow is adequate to maintain coherence throughout, aligning with a Band 6.0 descriptor.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student attempts some less common subject-specific vocabulary appropriate for a process diagram, such as 'windward', 'leeward', 'precipitation' (implied by raining), and 'arid' or 'dry'. However, there are noticeable word-choice and collocation errors, such as 'incline nature' instead of 'inclined nature' or 'sloping nature', and 'downside the mountain' instead of 'down the mountain'. Spelling is mostly accurate, but the lexical range is somewhat limited and repetitive, which prevents the score from rising above Band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response displays a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'As the winds approach from the coast, it is pushed upwards...'. There is a notable grammatical error in subject-verb agreement with pronouns ('As the winds approach from the coast, it is'), and 'invloves' is a spelling slip. Other errors include 'temperature drops leading to ultimately cooling of air'. While complex forms are attempted, they frequently contain minor inaccuracies or awkward phrasing. The control of grammar and punctuation is adequate for communication but contains recurring errors, placing it firmly at Band 5.5.

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

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