Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-20

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 image illustrated displays the entire process of formation of rain-shadow deserts.

This particular type of desert is spread across thousands of kilometers on land, structured exactly like a mountain. Initially, to begin with the outset, coast of this mountain is approached by the winds coming from water bodies like sea, oceans or bays, and pushed upwards where the moisture content in the air rises and temperature beings to get cooler. As a result, formation of clouds start around the peak of the desert.

As the weather gradually changes and rainfall begins around the windward side, air continues to become dry on the opposite end, that is, the Leeward side. As we proceed downwards towards the land, winds become drier and approach inland areas where the rain-shadow desert is created. Comparing both the sides of the mountain, we understand that the main component required to produce this particular phenomenon is nothing but rain combined with wind.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers the main stages of the diagram well, tracing the process from winds approaching the coast and being pushed upwards, to moisture cooling, clouds forming, rain falling on the windward side, and dry air descending on the leeward side towards the inland rain-shadow desert. However, there are minor inaccuracies in interpretation, such as stating the desert is 'structured exactly like a mountain' and that the 'formation of clouds start around the peak of the desert', which misinterprets the scale and labels of the visual. Despite these slight interpretative slips, the overall progression of the process is successfully reported, fulfilling the core requirements of Task Achievement at a Band 6.5 level.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The response is organized into three paragraphs, providing an introduction and a sequential overview of the diagram's stages. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'As a result', and 'As the weather gradually changes' are utilized to guide the reader through the process. However, paragraphing is underdeveloped; the second paragraph is overly long and crams multiple distinct steps together without a clear break. Referencing is occasionally confusing, such as referring to the mountain peak as part of the 'desert'. Overall arrangement is coherent, but logical progression could be sharper with better paragraph breaks and refined cohesive ties.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range to describe the scientific process, using terms such as 'moisture content', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'precipitation concepts'. However, there are notable lexical slips and awkward word choices, such as 'temperature beings to get cooler' (typo for 'begins'), 'structured exactly like a mountain', and 'formation of clouds start'. Less common vocabulary is attempted with mixed success, placing the response firmly in Band 6 where the vocabulary is adequate for the task but contains errors that occasionally draw attention.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses like 'As winds approach coast... and pushed upwards where the moisture content...'. However, grammatical control is inconsistent. There are errors with verb forms ('temperature beings to get cooler', 'formation of clouds start'), missing articles ('coast of this mountain'), and run-on sentences that make some parts grammatically heavy and clumsy. The majority of sentences contain minor errors, though communication of the overall process is not seriously impeded. This corresponds to a solid Band 6 performance.

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