Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-17
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 figure depicts the formation process of rain shadow desert which is one type of desert.
The first step demonstrates that wind approaches along the coast over seas. Then the wind pushes upward to the mountains and becomes moist air. Simultaneously, the amount of moist air increases and starts to form into clouds. Eventually, raindrops begin to fall over the mountains.
The side of mountain from where the wind pushes upward is called Windward side. On the other hand, the side from where the wind pushes downward is termed as Leeward side. After rainfall, dry wind starts to form and proceeds over the mountain. Flowing over the mountain, the dry wind reaches the inland areas. That's how rain shadow deserts are finally formed.
Key factor causing the formation is wind which flows along the coast to the inland. The moist air becomes dry after rainfall and thus the formation of rain shadow desert happens.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5
The student successfully covers all parts of the diagram, explaining the sequential stages of rain-shadow desert formation from the sea and coast across the mountain range to the inland area. The overview is partially captured in the concluding paragraph, although the main features could have been outlined more cohesively at the very beginning. The response correctly identifies the windward and leeward sides, the lifting of moist air, cloud formation, precipitation, and the subsequent dry winds reaching inland. However, the exact phrasing 'wind pushes upward to the mountains and becomes moist air' slightly misrepresents the meteorological mechanics depicted (as moist air approaches from the sea and is forced upward). Nevertheless, the core information and key stages are adequately reported to meet the requirements of a Band 6.0 performance.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The essay displays a coherent overall arrangement with a logical progression from the sea to the inland area. The response is divided into logical paragraphs separating the process steps from the geographical labels and final summary. Cohesive devices such as 'The first step', 'Then', 'Simultaneously', 'Eventually', and 'On the other hand' are utilized to guide the reader through the diagram. However, some transitions feel slightly mechanical or repetitive, and referencing is occasionally basic. Paragraphing is used sufficiently to structure the response, ensuring that ideas follow a clear and understandable sequence throughout.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating specific terms from the visual prompt such as 'windward side', 'leeward side', 'moist air', and 'rain shadow deserts'. There are attempts to use less common vocabulary and process-oriented verbs ('depicts', 'demonstrates', 'proceeds'). However, some word choices and collocations are slightly unnatural or inaccurate, such as 'wind pushes upward to the mountains' instead of 'winds are forced upward'. Spelling and word-choice errors are minor and do not impede communication, fitting comfortably within the Band 6 descriptor.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and time conjunctions successfully (e.g., 'The side of mountain from where the wind pushes upward is called Windward side'). There are several grammatical errors and omissions of articles, such as 'formation process of rain shadow desert' (missing an article), 'side of mountain' (missing 'the'), and 'Key factor causing' (missing 'The'). Despite these recurring minor errors, the punctuation is generally acceptable, and the structures do not impede the overall readability of the text, supporting a solid Band 6 score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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