Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-14

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 below illustrates the type of one desert and its formation, which is known as a rain shadow desert.

Overall, it is a process of 7 stages, beginning from winds approaching the coast from the sea to upwards along the side of the mountain, which is thousands of kilometers long and ends at dry winds reach inland areas.

The first stage is wind approach coast, which moves up forward to the second stage which is winds pushed upwards. While going steadily upward the moist air rises and cools in the third stage. Afterwards, clouds form in the fourth stage and in the fifth stage those clouds began to rain.

Moving forward, in the sixth stage dry air continues over mountain and then dry winds reach inland areas which is the seventh and last stage of the formation of rain-shadow deserts.

In conclusion, the leeward side of mountain receives very little rainfall, which results in the formation of a rain shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response successfully covers all main features of the diagram illustrating the formation of a rain-shadow desert. You provide an overview of the process and select key stages, such as the moist air rising, cloud formation, precipitation, and the dry air descending on the leeward side of the mountain. However, describing the diagram as a strict '7-stage' process is slightly artificial for a natural scientific cycle, and some details could be more fully integrated. Nevertheless, the key features, comparisons, and the final consequence (the desert) are clearly reported, fulfilling the requirements for this task well. Overall, you have presented a clear and accurate summary of the visual data provided.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is generally coherent and follows a logical chronological progression from the winds approaching the coast to the dry air reaching inland areas. You make adequate use of sequencing language like 'The first stage', 'Moving forward', and 'In conclusion' to structure the text. Paragraphing is also utilised to separate the introduction, body details, and conclusion. However, cohesion can sometimes feel mechanical due to the repetitive numbering of stages (e.g., 'in the fourth stage and in the fifth stage'). Additionally, referencing is occasionally awkward, such as 'dry winds reach inland areas which is the seventh'. Refining your transitional phrases will make the flow of information much smoother.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

Your vocabulary is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms like 'coast', 'moist air', 'cools', 'clouds', 'rain', 'dry air', and 'inland areas'. You attempt some less common vocabulary such as 'leeward side' in your conclusion. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation inaccuracies throughout the text, such as 'illustrates the type of one desert' instead of 'illustrates how a desert is formed', and 'wind approach coast' instead of 'winds approach the coast'. Spelling is generally accurate, but these lexical slips restrict the score. To push into higher bands, aim for more precise scientific collocations and greater variety in your descriptive verbs.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

You demonstrate a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as relative clauses ('which is known as a rain shadow desert') and participial phrases. However, there are frequent grammatical errors in the text, particularly with verb forms, articles, and subject-verb agreement. Examples include 'winds approach coast' (missing articles and tense agreement), 'clouds began to rain' (tense consistency, should be 'begin'), and 'dry winds reach inland areas which is the seventh and last stage' (run-on structure with missing punctuation). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they persist throughout the response and prevent you from achieving a higher band score. Focus on checking your grammar and verb tenses carefully before finishing.

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

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.