Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-15

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 sequential stages involved in the formation of the rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process comprises seven distinct steps, beginning with the wind approaches the coast which is coming from the sea and culminating in the final stage of dry wind which reached at inland areas of desert, across thousands of kilometers from the coast to the rain-shadow desert.

At the initial stage, the wind approaches the coast which came from the sea water and then pushed the air in upword direction towords the clouds. Subsequently, the moist air rises upword, where it cool down in order to the formation of the clouds.

Once this stage is completed, the clouds formed at the windward side which undergoes to a further process of rain fall. At this point, the rain fall at the top of the mountain. Following a period of drying, the air dry continues over the mountain at the Leeward side of the mountain. At the filal stage, the dry wind reached at the Inland areas where the rain-shadow desert created.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses the main features of the diagram illustrating the formation of a rain-shadow desert. The overview accurately captures the seven-step process and the general scale of thousands of kilometres from the coast. All main stages are covered, from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. However, there are some minor mechanical lifting and phrasing issues in describing the steps, such as 'wind approaches the coast which is coming from the sea'. Despite minor descriptive awkwardness, the core task requirements are fulfilled well, demonstrating a clear understanding of the visual data.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is arranged logically with an introduction, an overview paragraph, and a body sequence following the steps of the diagram. Cohesive devices are used to guide the reader through the process, such as 'Overall', 'At the initial stage', 'Subsequently', and 'At the final stage'. Paragraphing is handled adequately to separate the overview from the process description. However, referencing is sometimes repetitive or slightly mechanical, and referencing errors like 'the wind approaches the coast which came from the sea water and then pushed the air in upword direction' disrupt the natural flow of ideas.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range to describe a scientific process, incorporating domain-specific terms such as 'sequential stages', 'moist air', 'windward side', 'Leeward side', and 'rain-shadow desert'. However, there are noticeable word choice and spelling errors throughout the text, including 'upword' instead of upward, 'cool down in order to the formation' instead of resulting in the formation, 'air dry continues' instead of dry air continues, and 'filal stage' instead of final stage. These errors reflect a Band 6 level where the vocabulary is sufficient for the task but contains frequent inaccuracies.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time markers. However, grammatical control is inconsistent, with frequent errors in verb forms and word order. Examples include 'beginning with the wind approaches the coast' (incorrect verb tense/form in a gerund phrase), 'which came from the sea water and then pushed the air' (faulty tense consistency and active/passive confusion), 'which undergoes to a further process' (incorrect preposition use), and 'dry wind reached at' (tense and preposition errors). These frequent slips place the performance firmly in the Band 5.5 to 6.0 range, as errors can occasionally cause slight strain for the reader.

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

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