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 illustrates how rain-shadow deserts are formed.

Overall, the process consists of several stages, beginning with winds approach coast and ending with the dry winds reach inland areas and formed rain-shadow desert. The main stages include winds approach, pushed then, air rise and cools then, cloud form, rain falls, dry air then, reach inland area. This process has done thousands of kilometers through sea area to inland area.

Initially, winds are approached coast and then pushed upwards. After that, moist air is rised and cooled before being cloud form. Next, clouds are formed. After being windward side clouds form, the rain is fells to the mountains. Once this has been done dry air is continued over mountain leeward side. Finally, dry winds are reached inland areas and rain-shadow desert is formed. This process has been done from coast area to inland area in thousands of kilometers.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student successfully identifies the main stages of the rain-shadow desert formation process, moving sequentially from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. Key geographical features such as the windward side, mountains, leeward side, and the rain-shadow desert itself are mentioned. However, the response falls short of the minimum 150-word requirement, containing only 147 words, which incurs a penalty under Task Achievement. Additionally, some descriptions of the stages are slightly awkward or mechanically transcribed from the prompt labels rather than fully integrated into flowing analytical sentences (e.g., 'before being cloud form'). To achieve a higher band, the student needs to ensure the word count exceeds the threshold and present the information with a more cohesive overview.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is divided into logical paragraphs with an introductory sentence, an overall summary, and a body paragraph detailing the sequence. Cohesive devices such as 'Initially', 'After that', 'Next', and 'Finally' are used to guide the reader through the stages of the diagram. However, referencing and transitions are sometimes mechanical and repetitive. For instance, the transition 'After being windward side clouds form' is awkward and disrupts the flow. Paragraphing is present, but the overall structure could be more polished with smoother connections between the various stages of the geographical process.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is largely functional and directly mirrors the prompts provided in the diagram (e.g., 'winds approach coast', 'clouds form', 'rain falls', 'rain-shadow desert'). There is a limited attempt to use less common vocabulary, and word-formation errors occur frequently, such as 'air is rised' instead of 'rises' and 'rain is fells' instead of 'falls'. While the terminology is adequate to describe the basic process, the lack of precise lexical variety and the presence of basic word-choice and morphological errors restrict the score to this band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are numerous grammatical errors throughout the text, particularly with passive and active voice confusion and verb forms, such as 'winds are approached coast', 'moist air is rised', and 'dry winds are reached inland areas'. These persistent inaccuracies occasionally impede smooth reading and demonstrate a lack of firm control over tense and voice consistency in a process description. Punctuation is generally basic but acceptable.

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