Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-22

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 the natural process of the formation of rain shadow deserts.

Overall, it constists seven steps which are ( winds approach coast, winds pushed upwards moist air rises and cools, cloud forms, rain falls, dry air continues over mountain and dry winds reach inland area) for rain shadow deserts, starting with winds approach coast and eventually resulting in dry winds reach inland areas.

To commence with, winds approach coast from the sea and the coast which gradually push the winds in upwards direction. At the same point, moist air rises and cools the winds resulting in the formation of clouds ath the windward side. Following this, rain falls occours at the top of the mountains.

In subsequent stage, dry air continues over mountains from the leeward side which results the air downside of the mountain. Eventually, Dry winds reaches the inland that results in the formation of rain- shadow deserts.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.5

The student successfully covers the main features of the process diagram illustrating the formation of rain-shadow deserts. An overview is provided in the second paragraph, outlining the seven sequential steps from coastal winds to inland deserts. Key stages such as wind movement, air cooling, cloud formation, precipitation, and the rain-shadow effect on the leeward side are identified. However, the listing of steps within parentheses in the overview is awkward and lacks clear integration into the prose. While all main features are mentioned, the explanation of the progression is slightly brief and contains minor mechanical reading of the diagram steps rather than fully synthesized reporting.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay is generally coherent with a logical overarching structure, moving from an introduction and overview to body paragraphs detailing the sequential stages of the diagram. Paragraphing is attempted, though the second paragraph functions as both an overview and a dense list of steps. Cohesive devices are used to signal progression, such as 'To commence with', 'At the same point', and 'In subsequent stage'. However, some cohesive links feel mechanical or awkward, and referencing is occasionally imprecise, such as 'which results the air downside of the mountain' in the final paragraph, which disrupts the logical flow and clarity of connections between clauses.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully incorporating topic-specific terms directly from the prompt such as 'rain shadow deserts', 'windward side', 'leeward side', and 'moist air'. However, the lexical range is somewhat limited, and there are several word choice and collocation inaccuracies, such as 'constists' instead of 'consists', 'occours' instead of 'occurs', and the awkward phrasing 'in upwards direction' rather than 'upwards'. Spelling errors like 'cloud forms' (missing article/pluralisation) and 'ath' also detract from the lexical score, preventing the response from reaching a higher band.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as using subordinate clauses with 'resulting in' and 'which results the air'. However, control over grammar and sentence structure is inconsistent. There are several noticeable errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ('it constists seven steps'), missing prepositions or articles ('at the top of mountains'), and incorrect verb forms/valency ('which results the air downside'). Punctuation is also faulty in places, notably the extensive parenthetical listing in the second paragraph. These errors occasionally cause strain for the reader, though communication of the overall process remains intact.

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

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