Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-23
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 shows the formation of rain-shadow desert. Their is a step-by-step procedure given in the diagram that how rain-shadow desert is formed.
The rain-shadow desert covered a large area of thousands of kilometres. Their is the coast located in the left-bottom of the diagram. Beside this, their is the sea located on the same side, beside the coast. Firstly, the wind approaces the coast area then the wind is pushed in upward direction. After that, the moist air is formed and it cools the temperature, then clouds are formed. After the formation of clouds, the rain waters falls from the clouds. The wind in the whole process in going in the upward direction, after rain process the dry air continues to blow over the mountains and then it reaches the inland areas. This is the process which will produce the rain-shadow desert.
In conclusion, by covering a thousands of kilometres the rain-shadow is formed by this process.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 5.5 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.0 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5
The response covers the main features of the diagram, successfully outlining the step-by-step process of rain-shadow desert formation from the wind approaching the coast to reaching inland areas. The student attempts an overview in the introduction and conclusion, mentioning the scale of thousands of kilometres. However, some aspects of the process are described with colloquial phrasing rather than precise academic vocabulary, and the distinction between the windward and leeward sides of the mountain is omitted. Overall, all parts of the task are addressed, though the development is somewhat basic. This aligns well with the descriptors for Band 6.0.
Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5
The response is arranged with an introduction, a body paragraph detailing the sequence of stages, and a short conclusion. Paragraphing is used, although the division is minimal due to the short overall length. Cohesive devices are employed to sequence the steps, such as 'Firstly', 'After that', and 'After the formation of clouds'. However, referencing and cohesion are sometimes repetitive and mechanical (e.g., frequent reliance on 'Then', 'After that', and repetitive sentence openings like 'Their is'). Logical progression is maintained throughout, resulting in a coherent overall arrangement that satisfies Band 6 criteria.
Lexical Resource: Band 5.5
The vocabulary used is adequate for the task, successfully communicating concepts like 'moist air', 'clouds form', and 'dry air'. However, there are notable word choice and spelling inaccuracies, such as writing 'approaces' instead of 'approaches' and 'rain waters falls' instead of 'rain falls'. The range is somewhat limited, and attempts at less common vocabulary are basic or repetitive. There is a persistent confusion between 'their' and 'there' ('Their is a step-by-step procedure', 'Their is the coast'). These errors do not impede overall communication, placing the response firmly at Band 5.5.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0
The student attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'After the formation of clouds, the rain waters falls from the clouds' and 'the dry air continues to blow over the mountains and then it reaches the inland areas'. However, grammatical errors are frequent, particularly with existential 'there is/are' structures incorrectly spelled as 'their is', and tense/article inconsistencies (e.g., 'rain-shadow desert' used without an article or plural form in places). Punctuation is generally acceptable, but frequent minor errors in grammar can cause some distraction for the reader, fitting the Band 5.0 descriptors.
See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.
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