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 provided diagram illustrates how a rain-shadow desert is formed.

It is a sequential process, having seven steps carried across thousands of kilometers. Initially, the process begins with the sea where winds approach the coast. Leading towards rain at the top of the mountain, and then the formation of a rain-shadow desert.

This process takes places across thousands of kilometers. Firstly, when the winds approach a sea coast, these are pushed upwards across the mountain. Secondly, the moist air rises and cools on the windward side. Then clouds are formed nearing the peak of the mountain, these clouds lead to rainfalls nearing the top of the mountain. After this, dry air continues over the mountain in the downward direction on the leeward side. Finally, when these dry winds reach the inland areas a rain shadow dessert is formed.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The student provides an overview of the diagram illustrating the formation of a rain-shadow desert, covering the main sequential stages from the sea across the mountain to the inland area. However, there are notable omissions in detail, such as the leeward side mechanics being only briefly mentioned. Furthermore, the response falls short of the word count requirement, containing only 138 words instead of the minimum 150 words. This under-length impacts the overall development and completeness of the task, placing the response firmly in the band 5 range for Task Achievement.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The text demonstrates a clear logical progression, following the numbered stages of the process diagram from left to right. The student attempts to use a range of cohesive devices to structure the response, such as 'Initially', 'Firstly', 'Secondly', 'Then', and 'Finally'. Paragraphing is used, though the second paragraph is somewhat dense and could be broken down further to improve readability. Referencing is generally clear, and although some cohesive ties feel slightly mechanical (e.g., repeating 'nearing the top of the mountain'), the overall arrangement remains coherent throughout.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms from the prompt such as 'sequential process', 'moist air', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'inland areas'. There is an attempt to use less common vocabulary, though it is accompanied by a spelling error ('dessert' instead of 'desert') and some repetitive phrasing. Word choice is generally functional and communicates the intended meaning without causing major difficulty for the reader, fitting the descriptors for band 6.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing relative clauses and subordinate structures like 'when the winds approach a sea coast, these are pushed upwards'. There are several grammatical inaccuracies and awkward phrasings, such as 'It is a sequential process, having seven steps carried across thousands of kilometers' and a dangling modifier in 'Leading towards rain at the top of the mountain'. Punctuation is mostly acceptable, and while errors are present, they rarely impede overall communication.

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

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