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 in, in which a type of desert known as a rain-shadow desert is formed.

Overall, there are seven depicts steps. In the initial stage, the winds approach through coast and culminated in dry wind reaches the inland areas.

Firstly, the wind travels from the sea coast and pushed upwards, while it absorbs the moisture from the air and cools. Subsequently, moisture-laden winds reach the windward side and form into clouds. Consequently, precipitation occurs on the summit of the mountain.

Lastly, when all the surplus water discharged. Dry winds currents advance downward side passing through the leeward side. Furthermore, the condense winds covered the thousands of kilometers distance before reaching the hyper-arid areas. This formation have four major points in which dry winds meet the

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 5.0

The response makes a clear attempt to describe the stages of rain-shadow desert formation shown in the diagram, noting the progression from winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. However, there are significant omissions and abrupt endings in the text, leaving the final stage incomplete ("This formation have four major points in which dry winds meet the"). Crucially, the response falls short of the 150-word minimum, containing only 130 words, which warrants a downward adjustment under the Task Achievement criteria. While the main features are partially covered, the lack of full development and failure to meet the length requirement restrict the score.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5

The essay displays some logical organization with introductory framing ("Overall, there are seven depicts steps") and sequential signposting such as "Firstly", "Subsequently", and "Lastly". However, paragraphing is somewhat disjointed and repetitive. The final paragraph cuts off mid-sentence, disrupting the overall cohesion and logical progression of the text. Reference words and cohesive devices are attempted, but mechanical errors and incomplete thoughts prevent the essay from achieving a higher band.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The vocabulary used is moderately adequate for describing a process, featuring terms like "precipitation", "moisture-laden winds", and "hyper-arid areas". However, there are notable lexical errors and awkward collocations throughout, such as "seven depicts steps", "dry wind reaches", and "condense winds". Word forms are sometimes inaccurate, and the unfinished sentence limits the demonstration of a wider or more flexible lexical range. Communication is generally maintained despite these flaws.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses introduced by "when" and "while". However, control over grammar and syntax is inconsistent. There are several grammatical errors, including subject-verb agreement issues ("This formation have..."), tense confusion ("winds approach through coast and culminated"), and awkward phrasing ("when all the surplus water discharged"). Because the text cuts off abruptly, the final grammatical structures remain incomplete, though some error-free clauses are present.

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

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