Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-19

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 given picture reprents the steps for formation of one type of desert in particular rain-shadow desert. Sea and wind plays a major role in the formation of the desert.

Overall, it can be observed that the surface where the actual rain-shadow desert is formed is far away from the sea. They are created due to dry wind carried from top of the mountain after rainfall on its peak.

Furthermore ,the process takes several of years to form such land mass as its a natural one. Moreover big water body as sea plays a key role as without it cloud would not be able to form due to lack of moist air in the surounding atmoshpere.

It gets its name due to the lack of rain on its side whereas, the opposite side of the mountain have reuglar rainfall. All the rain water gets acculimated at the top while only the dry wind reaches the land and thus forming a rain-shadow desert.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student attempts to summarise the diagram illustrating the formation of a rain-shadow desert, noting the progression from sea to coast, mountains, and inland areas. However, the response lacks a fully developed overview and contains inaccuracies regarding the mechanisms shown in the diagram (e.g., claiming rain water accumulates at the top of the mountain). While the main stages of wind movement, cooling, and precipitation are touched upon, the lack of precise reporting and the inclusion of outside assumptions limit the task response. According to Band 6 descriptors, the task is addressed, but some parts are under-developed or unclear.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is arranged into four paragraphs, attempting to guide the reader through an introduction, overview, and body details. However, logical progression is occasionally hindered by awkward transitions and referencing issues (such as 'They are created' referring loosely to the desert surface). Cohesive devices are used, but sometimes mechanically or incorrectly, as seen with punctuation errors around conjunctions (e.g., 'Furthermore ,the process'). Paragraphing is present, but overall cohesion lacks the flexibility required for higher bands, fitting the Band 6 descriptor where the overall arrangement is coherent, but cohesion is sometimes faulty.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, with attempts at less common items such as 'mass', 'surrounding', and 'accumulated'. However, there are notable spelling errors ('reprents', 'atmoshpere', 'acculimated', 'reuglar') and incorrect word choices or collocations (e.g., 'wind plays' instead of 'winds play', 'takes several of years'). These errors do not seriously impede communication, but they restrict the lexical score to Band 5.5, reflecting an adequate range with noticeable errors that prevent it from reaching a solid Band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student uses a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'Overall, it can be observed that...' and 'Moreover big water body as sea plays a key role as without it cloud would not be able to form...'. However, there are frequent grammatical errors, including missing articles ('as sea'), subject-verb agreement issues ('wind plays'), and punctuation mistakes. While meaning is generally conveyed, the frequency of grammatical slips keeps the response within the Band 5.5 range, as complex sentences frequently contain faults.

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

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