Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-18

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 process diagram illustrates the formation of a type of desert called a rain-shadow desert.

Overall, the process consists of seven stages, beginning with the winds approaching a coast and ending with the creation of rain-shadow desert. The main stages include formation of moist air and clouds, rainfall, then dry air production that reached in inland areas.

At the first stage, the coast is approached by the winds. Afterwards, these winds are pushed upwards nearby the mountains, by the windward side. Subsequently, it leads to the production of the moist air by passing through the sea. This air is used for the formation of couds after being rised and cooled at the height.

Following this, the rain fall is happened, which causes the air to become dry when passing over the mountain. The air is converted into dry winds after coming down by the mountain. Finally, the rain-shadow is formed when the dry winds are reached in inland areas.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student provides a clear overview of the process diagram, successfully identifying the seven stages of rain-shadow desert formation. The main features are reported, such as moist air rising, cloud formation, rainfall, and dry air moving inland. However, there are some minor inaccuracies in describing the sequence and geographical relationships, such as stating that moist air production happens 'by passing through the sea' rather than winds approaching from the sea. Overall, all parts of the task are addressed reasonably well, earning a solid Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is coherent overall with a logical progression from the first stage to the final creation of the desert. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and body steps. Cohesive devices such as 'At the first stage', 'Afterwards', 'Subsequently', and 'Finally' are utilized to guide the reader through the sequence, though some transitions feel slightly mechanical or awkward, such as 'Following this, the rain fall is happened'. Referencing is mostly clear, fitting the requirements for a Band 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms related to the diagram such as 'process diagram', 'rain-shadow desert', 'moist air', and 'dry winds'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation errors throughout the text, including 'production of the moist air', 'couds' (spelling error), 'rain fall is happened' (inappropriate passive structure), and 'are reached'. These errors show an attempt at less common vocabulary with occasional inaccuracies that do not seriously impede communication.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing passive and active voice constructions (e.g., 'These winds are pushed upwards', 'the rain-shadow is formed'). However, there are frequent grammatical errors in verb forms and prepositions, such as 'reached in inland areas' instead of 'reach inland areas', 'after being rised' instead of 'raised', and 'coming down by the mountain' instead of 'descending the mountain'. While these errors occasionally distract the reader, communication is generally maintained, placing the response firmly at Band 5.5.

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.