Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

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

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 diagram shows how one type of desert, known as a rain-shadow desert, is formed.

Overall wind takes water from sea with it which later falls in the form of rain at the top of mountains. Later dry winds reach inland areas and contribute in the formation of rain-shadow desert.

When wind reaches the coast it collides with mountains and is pushed upwarsd. Moist air then rises and cools which forms clouds. Clouds then reach at the top of the mountain and rain falls.

In the mean time dry air continues over the mountain and it come to the leeward side. Leeward side is the backside of the mountains in reference to the sea. The dry winds then reach the ground level of the leeward side which is known as inland areas. It is the place where rain-shadow desert is formed. As the name shows it is like in the shadow of the falling rain.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully addresses the main features of the diagram illustrating the formation of a rain-shadow desert. The response outlines the key stages from winds approaching the coast, rising and cooling over the mountains, producing precipitation on the windward side, and finally resulting in dry air descending onto the leeward side to create a desert inland. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, capturing the overall mechanism. However, the explanation is slightly concise and misses minor details such as the horizontal scale ('Thousands of kilometres'). Overall, all core parts of the process are reported accurately, fulfilling the requirements for Band 6.5 to 7.0. Given the clarity of the main feature selection, a band score of 6.5 is appropriate as some aspects are slightly under-developed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The text demonstrates a coherent overall arrangement with a logical progression following the sequential steps of the diagram. The response is divided into logical paragraphs separating the introduction, overview, windward process, and leeward process. Cohesive devices are used, such as 'When wind reaches the coast', 'In the mean time', and 'As the name shows'. However, referencing and transitions are sometimes a bit mechanical or repetitive ('Later dry winds', 'Clouds then reach', 'The dry winds then reach'). Paragraphing could also be structured more traditionally with a distinct introduction, overview paragraph, and body paragraphs. Nevertheless, logical flow is maintained throughout, supporting a band score of 6.0.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for describing a scientific process, including terms like 'moist air', 'precipitation' contextually implied through 'rain falls', 'leeward side', and 'inland areas'. There are a few lexical and spelling inaccuracies, such as 'upwarsd' instead of 'upwards' and 'come' instead of 'came' (tense consistency). The phrase 'takes water from sea with it' is somewhat unnatural. While less common lexical items are attempted, inaccuracies in word choice and spelling prevent the score from reaching a higher band. Therefore, a band score of 6.0 is well-justified.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The response contains a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as subordinate clauses ('When wind reaches the coast it collides with mountains...'). There are several grammatical errors and punctuation lapses, including missing commas after introductory clauses ('In the mean time', 'As the name shows'), a spelling error ('upwarsd'), and a tense shift ('it come to the leeward side'). Despite these errors, communication is rarely impeded, and the meaning remains clear throughout. The control over grammar aligns with the descriptors for Band 6.0.

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.