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 depicts the sequential process of a rain-shadow desert formation.

Overall, there are seven distinct stages. In the initial stage winds approach by the coast and culminating in dry winds reach the inland areas.

Firstly, the winds travel from the coastal level, while moving upwards side. Therefore, then starts absorbing the mositure present in the air, moisture-laden winds move further and reach on third step, where moist is rises and cools. Winds pass through the windware side and start forming into clouds, the cloud then reach the summit of the mountains for the precipitation.

Furthermore, in the opposite side of the mountain. Condense air continues floating downwards side towards the leeward slope. Subsequently, then the dry winds reach the arid areas and

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response attempts to describe the process diagram illustrating rain-shadow desert formation, identifying the main stages from winds approaching the coast to reaching inland areas. However, there are significant limitations. Crucially, the response is severely under-length at 123 words (falling short of the 150-word minimum requirement), which places a strict ceiling on Task Achievement. Furthermore, the description becomes incomplete and breaks off abruptly in the final paragraph ('...and'), leaving the final stage undeveloped. While an overview is attempted, the severe under-length and incomplete conclusion mean the task is only partially addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay attempts a logical progression, using introductory statements and sequential transition markers such as 'Overall', 'Firstly', and 'Furthermore'. Paragraphing is used to separate the introduction from body details. However, cohesion becomes mechanical and faulty in places (e.g., 'Therefore, then starts absorbing...', 'Subsequently, then the dry winds reach...'), and referencing is occasionally unclear. Because the essay trails off and is incomplete at the end, the overall organizational structure is disrupted, preventing it from reaching a higher band.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary for the task, attempting some topic-specific and less common items such as 'sequential process', 'culminating', 'moisture-laden winds', and 'precipitation'. However, there are notable word choice and collocation errors, such as 'winds approach by the coast', 'moist is rises', and 'windware side' (misspelling of windward). Repetition of basic structures and imprecise lexical choices constrain the lexical range, placing it firmly in the Band 6 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, but grammatical accuracy is inconsistent. There are several noticeable errors throughout the text, including subject-verb agreement issues and awkward phrasing like 'while moving upwards side' and 'Condense air continues floating downwards side'. Punctuation and sentence boundaries are also affected in the final broken sentence ('...and'). While some sentences are error-free, the frequency of grammatical slips and the incomplete ending prevent the response from achieving a higher score.

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

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