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 given process diagram illustrates the information about the rain shadow desert formation.

Overall, this process is consist of seven steps. It begins form the process winds approaching coach and it ends with dry winds reach inland areas, this procedure is get completed by covering thousands of kilometres.

Initially, by passing the sea winds approached the coast and pushed upwards to the hill, after reaching Windward side the air gets rises and cool. Next, clouds are formed and rain fall get started on the top of the hill. Once this get completed then dry air started coming down from the top of mountains by crossing Leeward side. Subsequently, dry winds reached inland areas by covering thousands of kilometres from coast to inland. This is the whole process by which Rain-shadow deserts are formed and leads to the rainfall. There is also usage of two opposite sides, which is Windward side and Leeward side due to which this process get capable for its completion.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully identifies the main features of the diagram, outlining the seven distinct stages of rain-shadow desert formation from the winds approaching the coast to dry winds reaching inland areas. An overview is provided, noting that the process consists of seven steps and covers thousands of kilometres. However, there are some minor inaccuracies and confusion in the concluding sentences, such as stating that the process 'leads to the rainfall' (when the process actually results in a desert due to a lack of rainfall on the leeward side). Overall, all parts of the prompt are addressed, and the key sequential features of the process are reported accurately enough to meet the requirements for a Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response has a clear overall progression, tracking the chronological stages from step one to seven. Paragraphing is attempted, with an introductory sentence and an overview followed by the body of the process. Cohesive devices are used to sequence events, such as 'Initially', 'Next', 'Once this get completed', and 'Subsequently'. However, referencing and cohesion are sometimes faulty or mechanical, as seen in awkward transitions like 'This is the whole process by which Rain-shadow deserts are formed and leads to the rainfall.' The linking between sentences occasionally feels disjointed, resulting in a Band 6.0 performance for this criterion.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, attempting subject-specific terms from the diagram such as 'Windward side', 'Leeward side', and 'inland areas'. However, there are noticeable word choice and collocation errors throughout the text, including 'approaching coach' instead of 'coast', 'air gets rises' instead of 'rises', and 'rain fall get started'. These lexical errors and awkward phrasings limit the precision of the response. The range is sufficient to communicate the main points but lacks the flexibility or natural control required for higher bands, fitting the Band 5.0 descriptor.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.0

The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, but control over grammar is inconsistent. There are frequent grammatical errors, such as subject-verb agreement issues ('this process is consist', 'air gets rises', 'rain fall get started'), tense inconsistencies ('started coming'), and awkward passive/active constructions ('this procedure is get completed'). While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently across the text and prevent the response from achieving a higher band. Sentence structures remain somewhat repetitive and prone to structural slips, making a Band 5.0 appropriate.

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.