Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-16

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 how two sides of a mountain have different temperatures and the formation of rain shadow dessert by a multi step process over the passage of time.

Initially, the wind from slightly above the sea reaches the coast. It is then pushed upward by force and pressure. The sea breeze then evaporates and then condenses so the moist air rises and is collected. Consequently, clouds are formed due to the collected water and it rains. The rain travels down the mountain and meets the sea again. All this process happens on the windward side of the mountain.

On the leeward side, the remaining dry air continues over the mountain, where it continuously travels across thousands of kilometres to reach the inland areas. As a result of these processes happening over time and across thousands of kilometres, a rain shadow desert is formed due to dry and arid conditions on this side and the absence of water or moisture.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student attempts to describe the process diagram showing the formation of a rain-shadow desert, covering the key stages such as winds approaching the coast, being pushed upward, condensation, cloud formation, precipitation, and dry air continuing over the mountain. However, there are some inaccuracies in reporting the visual data; for instance, stating that 'the rain travels down the mountain and meets the sea again' misinterprets the linear diagram. Additionally, the overview lacks a clear summary of the main overall trend or mechanism shown in the graphic. Consequently, the task is addressed only partially, warranting a Band 5.5.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into three paragraphs, moving logically from the initial stages on the windward side to the processes on the leeward side. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'It is then', 'Consequently', and 'On the leeward side' are used to sequence the stages of the diagram. However, referencing is sometimes vague or faulty, such as in the phrase 'All this process happens on the windward side', which makes the overall logical progression occasionally mechanical and less cohesive than required for a higher band. Paragraphing is used, but the overall structure could be more refined.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, attempting less common items such as 'evaporate', 'condenses', 'precipitation' (implied), and 'arid conditions'. However, there are noticeable word-choice and spelling errors, such as misspelling 'desert' as 'dessert' and using imprecise phrasing like 'pushed upward by force and pressure' and 'the wind from slightly above the sea'. These inaccuracies limit the precision of the response, keeping the lexical score at a Band 5.5.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'As a result of these processes happening over time and across thousands of kilometres, a rain shadow desert is formed...' There are several grammatical errors and awkward constructions throughout the text, including 'how two sides of a mountain have different temperatures' (temperatures are not depicted in the prompt) and missing articles. While these errors do not completely impede communication, their frequency prevents the student from achieving a higher band score.

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.